Oral Cancer Screening in Houston, TX
Oral cancer can be quite concerning. It’s important to get screened for it if you have symptoms. Memorial Heights Dental Center offers these screenings. Using state-of-the-art technology and tools, Dr. Hung and the staff will do their part to see if they can be caught early enough for early treatment.
What are the signs of oral cancer?
Oral cancer can develop in any part of the oral cavity. This includes the gums, lips, tongue, roof, and floors of your mouth and inner cheek. The signs that a dentist near you will look for will include the following:
- A sore on your lip or mouth that doesn’t heal
- Reddish or white patches inside the mouth
- Mouth and ear pain
- Growths or lumps inside the mouth
- Loose teeth
- Painful or difficulty swallowing
If you notice any of these signs, getting an oral cancer screening done through a dentist in Houston, TX, must be your next step. Be sure to set up an appointment with Memorial Heights Dental Center so you can get it done soon.
How is an oral cancer screening performed?
Dr. Hung will perform a screening exam by looking over inside your mouth. They will check for any mouth sores or red or white patches. They will feel around any tissues (using gloves) for any lumps or abnormalities.
They will also examine your neck and throat for any lumps. Other equipment can be used for additional testing. If there are any concerns, they can perform a biopsy or refer you to a doctor that can get it done.
Any signs that are present for mouth cancer must be taken seriously. At some point, your dentist near you will refer you to a doctor that handles these types of cancers. Follow the advice so you can be placed on a treatment plan.
Oral cancer screenings in Houston, TX, can be the difference between life and death, as it can get worse if it goes unchecked. Memorial Heights Dental Center will make sure that doesn’t happen. For oral cancer screenings near you, give us a call today.
FAQ's
An oral cancer screening is a routine, non-invasive examination performed by a dentist to look for signs indicating cancer or precancerous conditions in your mouth. The goal is to identify any concerning lesions, sores, or tissue changes at the earliest possible stage when oral cancer is most treatable. It involves a visual and physical inspection of your lips, gums, tongue, cheeks, roof, and floor of your mouth.
Early detection is critical in the successful treatment of oral cancer. In its early stages, oral cancer can be treated with a success rate of over 80-90%. However, because early signs are often painless and go unnoticed by patients, the disease can progress. A regular screening is your first and most important line of defense, as your dentist can spot subtle changes that you can't see or feel.
No, a standard visual and tactile oral cancer screening is completely painless. There are no needles or scraping involved. If advanced screening technology is used, it simply involves shining a special light into the mouth, which is also pain-free and non-invasive.
As part of your regular dental exam, a basic oral cancer screening adds only a few minutes to your appointment. The entire process is very efficient, taking approximately 3-5 minutes.
