Oral Cancer Screening
Your Overall Wellbeing Is Our Top Priority
Oral cancer claims the life of one person every hour in the United States. Many people aren’t aware of the severity of this disease, especially when it remains undiagnosed for long periods of time, which allows it to rapidly spread. That’s why Dr. Allan Milewski is dedicated to providing thorough oral cancer screenings to each of his patients during their semi-annual checkups and cleanings. With a simple and short screening. Dr. Milewski aims to drastically reduce the health risks caused by oral cancer and improve your overall wellbeing.
The Prevalence of Oral Cancer
According to the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, oral cancer rates have increased by 15 percent since the 1970s. Overall, about 11 adults out of 100,000 will develop this disease. Many patients aren’t aware of how common it is, which is why they don’t think twice when they skip a routine screening. However, dentists are often patients’ first line of defense with early diagnoses.
Overall, about 60 percent of people who have oral cancer will survive for over five years. This is primarily due to early detection. The sooner the disease is spotted, the higher the chances of survival. If it has been longer than six months since you last received a checkup and cleaning, don’t hesitate to contact our office today to schedule an appointment to get your clean bill of health.
Signs of Oral Cancer
For an untrained eye, oral cancer may be difficult to diagnose. Dr. Milewski dedicates his knowledge and skills to optimizing his patients’ health by providing thorough and in-depth oral cancer screenings. During this service, he will search for common signs of the disease, including:
- Oral sores that don’t heal within two weeks.
- Thick or abnormal-feeling oral tissue.
- Lumps or bumps in the mouth, neck, or jaw.
- Red and white patches in the mouth.
- A numb tongue.
- Loose teeth.
If you experience any of these symptoms, contact our office immediately for an evaluation.
What Happens During An Oral Cancer Screening?
Oral cancer screenings from your dentist in Medina are relatively quick and completely pain-free. We will begin by examining the inside of your mouth, including your gums, oral tissues, and tongue. To gain a good view towards the back of your mouth, we may move your tongue. After that, we will feel your jaw, throat, and neck, searching for any abnormalities. If we find anything that could point towards an oral cancer diagnosis, we will direct you towards a medical doctor for further testing.
The best way to keep oral cancer at bay is to come in every six months for a checkup and cleaning. A short and pain-free visit to our office could be the difference between an early or a late diagnosis.