Oral cancer is a deadly disease that affects thousands of people every year. Per the Oral Cancer Foundation, a person dies from oral cancer every hour, with almost ten-thousand people losing their life to this type of cancer each year. At Mercy Dental, we want to help our patients maintain excellent oral health with general dentistry, especially when it can affect their overall health. We offer oral cancer screenings to improve the chance of catching signs of cancer early for better treatment options.
Oral cancer screening is quick and painless; it can be included during your regular checkups to ensure that there are no signs of oral cancer. Dr. Doleyres can check your mouth, gums, tongue, lips and tissues for any early symptoms. Visible signs can include red or white spots on oral tissue, sores or scabbed areas, lumps, or other masses. There can also be soreness, numbness, difficulty chewing/swallowing or persistent hoarseness in the voice. Dr. Doleyres will use a special light to look for tissue changes, feel for lumps and ask you about any symptoms you may have.
Identify Mouth Cancer Early
Like any cancer, oral or mouth cancers are most treatable when they are caught in the early stages. It is when they are left unnoticed and begin spreading throughout the body that they become the most dangerous. Many people that have died from oral cancer may have been able to fight the disease if they had a cancer screening that caught their cancer in the earliest stages.
Those with a history of tobacco or alcohol use are at higher risk of oral cancer, but anyone can contract this deadly disease. At your next checkup at Mercy Dental, make sure to ask about our oral cancer screening to protect your overall health. Contact us today to schedule your next exam at our office in Edinburg.