What your dentist in McDonough, GA, wants you to know about oral cancer screenings
Oral cancer is a serious diagnosis. The good news is there is a lot that can be done to prevent oral cancer, including oral cancer screenings. Dr. Robert Brooks at Brooks Cosmetic & Family Dentistry in McDonough, GA, wants to share how oral cancer screenings can save your smile. He proudly serves residents of McDonough, and Hampton, GA, and he can care for you and your smile too.
One of the most common causes of oral cancer is tobacco use, so if you are smoking or chewing tobacco, the first step in preventing oral cancer is to quit using tobacco in any form. Excessive alcohol use has also been linked to oral cancer, so lifestyle habits are something you can control, and eliminating or limiting the use of these harmful substances could prevent oral cancer and save your life.
It’s also important to do a self-check of your soft tissue around and inside your mouth. Be sure to look for:
- Red or white open sores that don’t heal
- Wrinkled, thickened, or whitish tissue
- Tenderness or numbness
- Swollen lymph nodes in your neck
You should also seek attention for a chronic sore throat, hoarseness, difficulty chewing, swallowing, or speaking.
Visiting your dentist regularly is the main way to diagnose oral cancer early, and early diagnosis and treatment are vital to your survival. In fact, early diagnosis and treatment can raise your chances of surviving by 75 percent! Without early diagnosis and treatment, oral cancer can spread resulting in a five-year survival rate of only 20 percent.
When you visit Dr. Brooks for your regular dental exam, he will also do a thorough oral cancer screening, checking your lips, cheeks, gums, tongue, and other areas for any abnormalities. He will also take x-rays, a main tool in detecting abnormalities which have affected the bone surrounding your teeth and your jaw.
Oral cancer screenings are a vital way to save your smile and keep you healthy. Your dentist can help. To find out more about oral cancer screenings and other dental services, call Dr. Robert Brooks at Brooks Cosmetic & Family Dentistry, serving residents of McDonough, and Hampton, GA. Call today and save your smile!