{"id":695,"date":"2024-04-11T10:20:00","date_gmt":"2024-04-11T10:20:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.richardfossumdds.com\/blog\/?p=695"},"modified":"2024-04-22T22:20:47","modified_gmt":"2024-04-22T22:20:47","slug":"how-your-dentist-conducts-an-oral-cancer-screening","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.richardfossumdds.com\/blog\/how-your-dentist-conducts-an-oral-cancer-screening\/","title":{"rendered":"Taking a Closer Look: How Your Dentist Conducts an Oral Cancer Screening"},"content":{"rendered":"
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\"A<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

You may not have known, but April is (among other things) Oral Cancer Awareness Month. It\u2019s a time to note the severe dangers of cancer in your mouth and throat. So, you\u2019d do well to consider how your dentist conducts an oral cancer screening. Their efforts<\/a> keep cancerous tissue from greatly harming your oral and physical health. Of course, your Temple dental practice is happy to help out. Read on to learn about oral cancer screenings, why they\u2019re done, and how each screening works.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

What\u2019s an Oral Cancer Screening?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

At each checkup, a dentist will closely examine your mouth for oral problems. An oral cancer screening is part of this assessment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Put simply, oral cancer screenings are exams that look for cancer signs in your mouth. Most dentists perform them during your dental checkups and cleanings. As needed, the screenings can also include additional tests to identify abnormal mouth cells. Whether you need such tests will depend on your situation and your dentist\u2019s thoughts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why are These Screenings Done?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The goal of oral cancer screening is to detect oral cancer early. By doing so, a patient is more likely to have their cancer (or lesions) removed and cured.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You see, oral cancer can be incurable and deadly if it spreads too much. The condition\u2019s 5-year survival rate drops to 69% if it reaches nearby tissues and organs. Similarly, roughly half of those diagnosed with it don\u2019t survive past the five-year mark. Those who do can be permanently disfigured if the cancer is caught too late.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Thankfully, oral cancer screenings make early diagnoses more likely. That\u2019s a big deal \u2013 the 5-year survival % of patients with an early diagnosis is 86%.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How Does the Screening Work?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Generally, an oral cancer screening has two major parts: the visual and physical exams. Each closely assesses the gums, palate, soft tissue, and tongue.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For the visual exam, a dentist looks for asymmetries. Any swellings, bumps, lumps, white patches, and sores found could point to cancer. To better locate them, a dentist uses a small light and mirror to look inside the nose and mouth. They will also use a tongue depressor to examine the back of the throat.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The physical exam has a dentist physically touch areas that can contract oral cancer. In particular, they\u2019ll move their hands around the head and cheeks, the jaw, under the chin, and inside the oral cavity. Any unusual nodules or masses will be noted and may receive further looks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Clearly, how a dentist conducts an oral cancer screening is crucial. Please learn more about how dentists handle them as Oral Cancer Awareness Month continues.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

About the Practice<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Dr. Richard Fossum<\/em><\/a> is a dentist based in Temple, TX. Having earned his DDS from the UTHealth School of Dentistry, he\u2019s a qualified expert in preventive, cosmetic, and restorative dentistry. Dr. Fossum and his team also treat dental emergencies and sleep apnea. So, you can trust him for your comprehensive oral needs \u2013 including oral cancer screenings. Today, Dr. Fossum practices at <\/em>his self-titled clinic<\/em><\/a> and is reachable on <\/em>his website<\/em><\/a> and by phone at (254)-778-3900<\/strong>.<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

You may not have known, but April is (among other things) Oral Cancer Awareness Month. It\u2019s a time to note the severe dangers of cancer in your mouth and throat. So, you\u2019d do well to consider how your dentist conducts an oral cancer screening. Their efforts keep cancerous tissue from greatly harming your oral and […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"yoast_head":"\nHow a Dentist Conducts an Oral Cancer Screening | Dr. Fossum, DDS<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"At each dental checkup, your dentist conducts an oral cancer screening. 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