Oral Cancer Screening in Scottsdale, AZ
The focus at Scottsdale Cosmetic Dentistry Excellence is not just your oral health but your overall well-being. There is a real connection between dental health and total health. Toward this end, Dr. Jeffrey D. Clark employs a well-rounded approach t0 care that includes oral cancer screening as part of every regular checkup. Oral cancer is, of course, life-threatening, but most oral cancer-related deaths occur because the disease was diagnosed too late, and survival rates are greatly increased among patients who receive an early diagnosis.
How We Screen for Oral Cancer
Dr. Clark in Scottsdale is an expert dentist with the skill, experience, and tools needed to identify the indications of oral cancer or a precancerous condition. While many of these signs can and often do point to less severe health issues, it is important to recognize them and rule out the worst possibilities. Among the most common symptoms of oral cancer or a precancerous condition are:
- Sores that bleed easily or do not heal
- Lumps, rough patches, and thickening areas
- Red and white spots or sores in the oral cavity
- Difficulty speaking, chewing, or swallowing
- Restricted movement of the tongue or jaw
- Pain or discomfort of the lips or mouth
- Numbness or tenderness of the lips or mouth
The screening we perform involves not just your teeth and gums but the entire oral cavity. In addition to performing a visual examination of your mouth, we feel the tissues of your mouth and throat, and we check your neck and head. This hands-on exam is essential for detecting many abnormalities. If a concerning area is found, we can, for instance, conduct a brush test, which is where cells are collected from a suspicious lesion and sent to a lab for testing. If the test returns a result outside the expected range, we’ll inform you and recommend that you have a biopsy performed.
John K.—A Real Patient and a Real Experience With Oral Cancer
John K. is a patient at Scottsdale Cosmetic Dentistry Excellence. He recently visited us for a routine cleaning. Dr. Clark performed a thorough oral exam during which he discovered a pea-sized lump in John’s cheek. The patient was aware of it and had first noticed it two months prior to his visit. Dr. Clark performed a specialized scan using our in-house Galileos CBCT imaging system and sent those images to a radiologist. Dr. Clark also referred the patient to an oral surgeon for diagnosis and potential treatment. The oral surgeon conducted his examination the following month and referred the patient to a head and neck specialist. The patient scheduled that appointment shortly thereafter, at which point the lump had developed from the size of a pea to the size of a plum.
During that visit, John was diagnosed with skin cancer. Soon after, he underwent surgery to remove the cancerous mass that had surrounded his lymph nodes. As of this writing, the patient is about to begin chemotherapy and radiation treatment. By simply scheduling regular dental cleanings, John was diligent in protecting his overall health and was able to have his cancer diagnosed as early as possible.
Dentists are often the earliest health care professionals to detect cancer of the mouth, neck, head, and so forth. This is why it is so imperative to see your dentist on a regular basis without fail. We care about our patients, and we want much more than just beautiful smiles for you and your family!
Schedule Your Oral Cancer Screening Today
Jeffrey D. Clark, DDS, is a highly respected dentist in Scottsdale who can keep your smile looking great and your teeth and gums healthy. With a focus on biological dentistry in Scottsdale, Dr. Clark will also take a holistic approach to your wellness and help you detect any early indications of oral cancer along with other serious oral-related conditions. Visiting your dentist twice a year may be one of the best decisions you ever make. Call Scottsdale Cosmetic Dentistry Excellence at 480 585 1853 to schedule your next regular checkup.
