Oral Cancer Screening

Oral Cancer Screenings Dentist Grandville MI

Your risk of oral cancer is higher if you have a history of smoking, drinking, or spending a lot of time outside. The good news is that our dentists offer oral cancer screenings so we’re able to catch the condition in its early stages. During your oral cancer screening, we check the inside of your mouth for lumps, sores, and patches.

The American Cancer Society estimates that about 53,000 Americans will get oral or throat cancer this year. The sooner our dentists can detect oral and throat cancer, the better your chances of survival. This is why we recommend our patients receive their oral cancer screening at least once a year. Oral cancer is easier and less invasive to treat during its early stages. In fact, an oral cancer screening could save your life.

Symptoms

Do you recognize any oral cancer symptoms from our list below? If so, schedule an appointment for an oral cancer screening today. During a screening, we examine your mouth, throat, lips, gums, and tongue.

Call our dentists if you notice:

  • White or red patches inside the mouth
  • Mouth sores that don’t heal
  • Lumps in or around the mouth
  • Pain or difficulty swallowing
  • Pain or difficulty speaking
  • Feeling like something is stuck in the back of your throat
  • Unexplained sore throat
  • Unexplained ear pain
  • Unexplained bleeding inside the mouth

Risk Factors

According to the American Cancer Society, men are two times more likely to get oral cancer than women. Yet, this doesn’t mean that women don’t need oral cancer screenings. You may have a higher risk of developing oral cancer if you have a history of using tobacco or abusing alcohol. Even not using sun protection on your lips can increase your risk. Also, let our dentists know if you have a family history of cancer.

Request an Oral Cancer Screening

Our dentists in Grandville, MI, are accepting new patients! To request an appointment, call the Grandville Dental Health Center at (616) 531-0360.

Ready to Schedule an Appointment?