Get an Oral Cancer Screening in Tuckahoe, NY

Allow us to perform an oral cancer screening for you, right here in Tuckahoe, by calling (914) 533-4200.

Oral cancer screenings in Tuckahoe, NY, are one of the best ways to detect cancer early on. According to the Oral Cancer Foundation, there are almost 50,000 new cases of oral cancer every year in the U.S. This form of cancer represents a serious threat to your health and well-being.

Fortunately, oral cancer screenings allow you to begin treatment for this disease quickly. Getting early treatment increases your odds of recovering from oral cancer. Set up an oral cancer exam now with our team at Metro Dental.

Schedule for an Oral Cancer Screening in Tuckahoe, NY

In most cases, dentists perform oral cancer screenings as part of a routine dental check-up. That means that you would get an oral cancer assessment every six months if you keep up a regular schedule for dental care.

Twice yearly assessments for oral cancer allow dentists to catch this form of cancer as early as possible. Plus, doctors treat oral cancer more effectively if they begin the treatment before the cancer spreads further into your body.

Oral Cancer Symptoms To Consider

If you experience oral health concerns between your twice-annual appointments, you should not hesitate to reach out to a dentist. Contact us at Metro Dental if you notice:

Sores that don’t heal for longer than two weeks
Hoarseness, painful swallowing, or a sore throat
White or red patches in your mouth
Numbness or bleeding in your mouth
Shifts in the way your teeth touch when you shut your jaw

All of these symptoms are indications of oral cancer. This cancer spreads quickly, so please contact your dentist right away if you experience any worrying indications or symptoms.

Steps for Your Oral Cancer Screening in Tuckahoe, NY

When dentists perform oral cancer screenings as part of your routine dental visit, they complete a visual examination of your:

Lips
Gums
Cheeks
Palate

Dentists check for changes in color or texture on your tongue and surrounding areas. Sometimes, dentists also physically check areas with their fingers. For example, they may touch the sides of your neck and your cheeks, looking for any indications of cancerous growth.

Dentists perform oral biopsies if they notice any suspicious areas. Biopsies allow the dentist to remove a small number of cells for an examination. Generally, the dentist will use a brush to gather a layer of skin from the area of concern.

After having an examination performed, you will receive information about the results of the screening.

Ways To Reduce the Odds of Oral Cancer

Preventing oral cancer represents an important way to protect your health and well-being. However, several risk factors increase the odds of developing oral cancer, including:

Using tobacco
Drinking alcohol
Eating a poor diet
A positive diagnosis for HPV 16

You can take several steps to lower your odds of developing oral cancer based on these risk factors. For example, cutting out tobacco products helps protect your health, as does avoiding the excessive consumption of alcoholic products.

Focus on eating a diet that is nutritious and appropriately balanced to support your oral health further. Additionally, make sure that you reach out to a dentist right away if you notice any symptoms of oral cancer, such as sores or red patches.

Treatments for Oral Cancer in Tuckahoe

Dentists generally do not provide treatment for oral cancer. After identifying the cancer, make sure that you seek treatment from additional medical professionals. Treatment options for oral cancer include:

Radiation therapy
Chemotherapy
Surgeries

Doctors perform different types of surgeries depending upon the cancer’s location. In some cases, doctors treat oral cancer with a glossectomy or a laryngectomy. However, it’s important to know that doctors do not treat all forms of oral cancer in the same way.

Cases of oral cancer caught early will receive treatment with radiation therapy and surgery. More serious cases often require the use of chemotherapy.