The scariest word for people to hear these days is CANCER. The plight of being diagnosed with cancer is much more than the disease itself. But many cancerous conditions are completely curable if detected and treated at an early stage. This is where the role of screening comes into play.
Cancer, as you all know, is a condition in which specific cells of the body begin to divide uncontrollably and destroy the body tissues. It mainly occurs due to specific mutations or aberrations in the process of cell division.
Mouth cancer or oral cancer is the condition where specific cells of any part of the oral cavity undergo mutation and begin to divide without check. Structures that are included under the oral cavity include lips, gums, tongue, buccal mucosa, the roof of the mouth, and the floor of the mouth. There has been a sudden spike in the people with mouth and throat cancers in the previous few years due to unknown reasons.
The primary aim of oral cancer screening is to detect mouth cancers or any pre-cancerous lesions at the earliest possible by regular check-ups. Early detection is associated with a good prognosis, and many cancers are completely curable without any permanent debilitation if intervention is done at the right time.
The screening can be done at the time of routine check-ups. Those who are at high risk should be more active in getting themselves screened for mouth cancers.
People may be negligent towards their oral health and may fail to identify any pre-cancerous lesions or abnormalities. It is therefore recommended that everyone, with or without risk factors, should be observant towards their oral health and maintain good oral hygiene.
Dentists are not just there to take care of your teeth. A dentist is a professional practitioner who is well-versed in the complete physiology and anatomy of the entire oral cavity. Their primary concern is to deal with the teeth as well as all the structures adjacent to them. This makes dentists the perfect candidates for mouth cancer screening.
Apart from this, people regularly visit the dentist for routine oral check-ups, and that is when screening can be done. No special visits would be required for screening.
Dentists are also skilled in performing oral and maxillofacial surgeries, and therefore, they can not only screen but also treat oral cancers. The treatment, however, will require consultation with an oncologist.
The screening is a short and straightforward process that will take no more than 10-15 minutes. It is a thorough visual and physical evaluation of all the structures of your oral cavity, including lips, gums, cheeks, the floor of the mouth, the roof of the mouth and throat. The aim is to palpate any lump or aberration in the mouth. The dentist does it by manual or digital examination. If required, special instruments may be used for screening. The dentist should be highly proficient in identifying these abnormal lesions.
While evaluating the oral cavity, the following signs need special attention.
Screening is done as a part of routine oral examination at Conway House Dental Practice. However, our dentist will tell you how often you should visit for follow-up, depending on his examination findings during screening, as well as your health status. If he notices anything abnormal, he will ask you to visit more frequently to keep track of that abnormal lesion. He will also guide you and encourage you to avoid high-risk activities such as tobacco consumption, alcohol consumption, excess sunlight exposure, or unprotected sex. The friendly nature of dentists at Conway House will help you in sharing your issues with ease, and you can stay assured of efficient and practical guidance from them.
The people who are prone to developing cancer should be more vigilant of their oral health as compared to those without any risk factors. You should visit your dentist routinely and also learn to keep a check on your oral cavity yourself so that if you notice anything unusual, quick action can be taken.
If you have any of the above risk factors and want to get yourself screened, visit Conway House Dental Practice in High Wycombe. Our friendly and highly skilled staff will help you solve all your oral cavity-related troubles. For any further assistance, you can call our reception and book an appointment with our dentists.
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