Oral Cancer Screenings
Here at Balota Family Dentistry, each dental exam comes with an oral cancer screening. Many of our patients aren’t sure what to expect during an oral cancer screening so we want to put your mind at ease.
Receiving an oral cancer screening isn’t a scary procedure and doesn’t include any medications, tools or machines. It will only take a few minutes, and will fit into the allotted time for your dental cleaning and checkup. Dr. Balota will ask that you remove your dentures before your examination, and will ask a few questions to help determine any potential problems or risk factors.
Oral Cancer Symptoms
Some of the symptoms of oral cancer include:
- Difficulty swallowing or the feeling of having something stuck in your throat
- Hoarseness for 2 weeks or more
- Small or painless bumps or lumps on the neck or face
- Persistent earaches with no apparent cause
- Difficulty moving the tongue or speaking properly
“Too often we underestimate the power of a SMILE, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around.”
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What to expect during your screening
During a cancer screening, Dr. Balota will check for the following:
- Lumps or bumps on the neck, jaw, or face
- Color changes on the insides of the lips and cheeks
- The top and underside of the tongue, as well as the floor of the mouth
- Roof of the mouth and back of the throat for any abnormalities
In addition to a visual examination, Dr. Balota may feel the tissues of the mouth and face to check for any abnormal lumps, bumps, or growths.
Oral cancer risk factors
Below are a few of the common risk factors for oral cancer:
- Male over the age of 55
- Tobacco Usage
- Heavy alcohol usage
- Exposure to HPV (the human papillomavirus)
- Exposure to sunlight, especially without sunscreen
If you’re at risk for oral cancer, or if you’d like to schedule an oral cancer screening with our dentist, Dr. Eleonora Balota, please contact Balota Family Dentistry. Our dentist serves the local communities of 80919, Colorado Springs, Northwest Colorado Springs, West Colorado Springs, Old Colorado City, Manitou Springs, and surrounding areas. The best dentist in Colorado Springs, Colorado.
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