Oral Cancer Screening in Springfield, MO

Oral cancer screening is carried out to check for the signs of cancer or any precancerous condition in your mouth. The goal of this screening is to identify cancer early when the odds of cure are higher.

Today, the cases of oral cancer are rising, and many people are falling prey to it. There are many reasons why you might develop oral cancer, such as smoking or chewing tobacco, heavy consumption of alcohol, sun exposure to your lips, lifestyle, to name a few. We perform this examination during your routine dental visit. In addition, we may also recommend other tests to identify the regions of abnormal cells in your mouth.

What Are the Symptoms of Oral Cancer?

• White or red sores or spots that developed in your oral cavity
• Bleeding from the sore that doesn’t heal
• A thickening, lump, or rough spot in your mouth
• Pain, numbness, and tenderness anywhere in your lips and mouth
• Difficulty speaking, chewing, swallowing, or moving your tongue and jaw.

How Is the Screening Performed?

When you visit us for screening, we start by looking over the inside of your mouth to check for the presence of white or red patches or any mouth sores. The screening also involves checking for lumps and other abnormalities in your mouth by touching or feeling them, as well as in your neck and throat. 

What to Do After Screening?

Upon discovering any signs of head or neck cancer or even precancerous lesions, we will recommend a follow-up visit with your primary care physician or an Ear, Nose, and Throat specialist. 

This may lead to a biopsy procedure to remove a sample of cells and send it for testing to a lab. The test will determine if the cells are cancerous or not.

Please reach out to iTooth Family Dentistry in Springfield, MO, to have a consultation with our dentists, Dr. Robbins or Dr. Fincel. Call Dentist Springfield MO at (417) 883-8515 or schedule an online consultation, and we’ll guide you further.