Oral Cancer Screenings in South Houston, TX
Oral cancer includes malignancies in the gums, tongue, cheeks, and the roof and floor of your mouth. According to the American Cancer Society, there are 35,000 new cases of oral cancer each year in the U.S. While it’s treatable in the early stages, once it spreads, the treatments become more invasive, and your chance of survival decreases.
At EZ Dental Clinic, serving Houston and the general vicinity, we recommend our patients get routine screenings for oral cancer. Sometimes, something as simple as a sore in your mouth that doesn’t heal is a sign of cancer. Therefore, it’s important for you to get routine oral cancer screenings, even if you don’t have any serious health issues that could indicate cancer.
About Oral Cancer
Oral cancer is more common if you smoke, consume large quantities of alcohol, or have human papillomavirus (HPV). If you have a family history of cancer or receive a great deal of sun exposure at a young age, you’re also more at risk for mouth cancer.
Although not everyone experiences noticeable symptoms of mouth cancer, it can cause a sore that won’t heal or a lump or growth. Some people have a red or white patch in their mouth while others suffer from the mouth or ear pain or difficulty swallowing. It’s even possible for your teeth to become loose if you have mouth cancer.
Oral Cancer Screening in Houston
A mouth cancer screening in Houston is part of keeping your mouth and teeth healthy as well as preventative care for your overall health and wellness.
During mouth cancer screenings, our dentist looks inside your mouth to check for red or white patches, lumps, or sores that could indicate cancer. This portion of the exam may consist of our dentist feeling inside of your mouth.
Sometimes, our dentist also performs a test using a blue dye. When placed inside your mouth, abnormal cells may absorb the dye. They’ll then appear blue to our dentist.
It’s also possible to use a light test. Our dentist shines a light into your mouth. When you have normal healthy cells, they appear dark in color. On the other hand, the abnormal cells look white.
Get an oral cancer screening by contacting EZ Dental Clinic, serving Houston and the surrounding area.