How Can a Dentist Help in Detecting Oral Cancer

In Wichita Falls, TX, every citizen needs to make sure that their oral health is inspected. Thus, if you are living in Wichita Falls, TX, you must understand that maintaining routine checkups will help you comprehend the present oral health report. Moreover, it will also let your dentist notice oral cancer earlier. If you think that you are feeling some unusual sensation in your mouth, you must make sure that you seek proficient guidance from a dentist in Wichita Falls, TX, and discuss your oral health further.

What is oral cancer?

Oral cancer is a type of cancer that happens to occur in any portion of your mouth, like your gums, inner cheeks, side walls, lips, tongue, and roof. An oral cancer can be severe enough to threaten your life if you do not treat it. Therefore, make sure that if you happen to be diagnosed with oral cancer, consider seeking medical help immediately.

Early detection matters

Your oral cancer must be noticed earlier since it will be easier and more convenient to address the disease. If you maintain a regular dental checkup routine, your dentist will be able to detect any dental issues like oral cancer or other diseases earlier and take preventive measures against them.

Ways your dentist can help you in detecting oral cancer:

  • Visual examination

When it comes to noticing oral cancer, your dentist will make sure to perform a visual analysis of your mouth. Your dentist is mindful of the observable symptoms that lead to oral cancer. Hence, he/she will look for any patches, sores, or lesions. If you happen to have any of these manifestations, then you are diagnosed with oral cancer.

  • Palpation of lymph nodes

Another sign of oral cancer is the palpation of lymph nodes. Your dentist will make sure to envision your lymph nodes and have a thorough assessment. If he/she encounters your lymph nodes dilating, you must comprehend that you are diagnosed with oral cancer.

  • Risks assessment

If you are diagnosed with oral cancer, then your dentist will start assessing all the risk factors of your oral cancer, like consumption of nicotine, tobacco, sun exposure, or HPV infection. Having an accurate idea of the cause will help your dentist address the cancer accordingly.

  • Screening tests

Screening tests are another visual examination for detecting the specific part of your mouth where cancer is located. Dentists perform this test by using various tools like tissue biopsies or imaging machines. This will help the dentist to confirm the oral cancer. 

If you are diagnosed with oral cancer, make sure that you seek immediate dental attention from your dentist.

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