06
Dec
Routine Dental Exams Are Key to Early Detection of Mouth Cancer
According to the American Cancer Society, about 54,000 Americans are diagnosed with mouth cancer annually. Worse yet, the US records about 12,000 deaths annually from mouth cancer! While the statistics about oral cancer are scary, the good news is that there is something you can do about it. Adhering to dental check-ups can be crucial in early detection of mouth cancer. When caught early, mouth cancer is easily treatable.
Your dental exams at Maegan Elam, DDS and Associates in Bedford, Texas, aren’t all about cavities and gum disease. Dr. Maegan Elam offers oral cancer screenings to check for signs of mouth cancer. Through dental exams, we can arrest mouth cancer early before it spreads to other body parts.
What happens during an oral cancer screening?
While the early stage of oral cancer is asymptomatic, the dentist can spot the subtle signs of mouth cancer for early treatment.
Mouth cancer often occurs in the areas below.
- Both sides of the tongue
- The gums and inside the lips and cheeks
- The tonsils and the part behind the throat (oropharynx)
- The roof of the mouth (palate)
An oral cancer exam is a fast and straightforward procedure. It usually takes 5-10 minutes and doesn’t cause any pain. The dentist physically and visually screens the oral cavity to look out for sores, patches, lumps, and other abnormalities that might be precancerous and cancerous. We can conduct further tests using special dyes and lights based on the preliminary findings. These in-depth tests help separate abnormal tissues from healthy ones.
How often do you need oral cancer screening?
While everyone is at risk of mouth cancer, smokers, heavy alcohol drinkers, and those exposed to human papillomavirus (HPV) and other factors are more vulnerable to mouth cancer. Patients at low risk of mouth cancer should be screened at least once annually. However, if you are a high-risk patient, you should undergo screening at least twice annually.
The good news is that you don’t need a special dental appointment for mouth cancer screening. Our office carries out these screenings during your bi-annual dental appointment. With such convenience, you don’t have to put your health at risk of mouth cancer.
Schedule a life-saving oral cancer exam today!
Have you been screened for mouth cancer this year? If not, please call (817) 283-2871 to schedule an appointment with Maegan Elam, DDS and Associates of Bedford, Texas.
We offer fast and non-invasive mouth cancer screenings to save lives.
Share this Article
Dr. Maegan Elam is a highly sought-after dentist in Bedford with a talent for easing dental anxiety. Graduating with a B.S. in Biochemistry from Hardin-Simmons University, she worked as a dental assistant for a year before obtaining her Doctor of Dental Surgery at the University of Texas Health Science Center in San Antonio. She is a part of the American Dental Association, the State of Texas Dental Association, and the Fort Worth District Dental Society. Dr. Elam has completed advanced training in offering oral-conscious and nitrous oxide sedation to help patients have peaceful dental experiences. She has a conservative approach to providing excellent dental care and believes in preserving natural tooth structure whenever possible.