Set Up Your Oral Cancer Screening

When was the last time you saw your Albuquerque, NM, dentist for a checkup, and had an oral cancer screening performed? Too often people avoid or skip these visits, unaware that oral cancer’s high mortality rate (50% of those diagnosed succumb within five years) is due to the fact that the disease is rarely caught in the early stages.

Your Annual Screening

Each year, as part of your checkup your dentist will perform a visual scan and use advanced technology to carefully examine your gums and oral tissues for signs of oral cancer. Of the over 50,000 people diagnosed each year, many will die within the first five years, and often as a result of the disease not being caught until the later stages have already commenced. An early diagnosis means we can refer you to a specialist for a biopsy and to discuss possible treatment options, increasing the chances of recovery.

Signs to Watch For

When you attend our six-month checkup visits, we will be able to identify the presence of the disease in the earliest stages. However, you should schedule an exam in between these visits if you begin to experience possible symptoms, such as unexplained hoarseness or a persistent sore throat, lesions or sores that don’t heal after 14 days, changes to your voice, rough patches, or areas on the inside of your mouth with red and white splotches. If you begin to experience one or more of these potential warning signs, please let us know right away!

Your Checkup and Cleaning

Aside from your screening, we will also examine your smile for signs of tooth decay, dental infection, TMJ disorder, and bruxism (teeth grinding). Looking at your gums, we’ll assess your risk of gingivitis and gum disease as well. Often, minor treatment can help correct or manage these issues and safeguard your smile against tooth loss or major discomfort. Our team will also perform a thorough dental cleaning, in which we remove all plaque and tartar from the surface of the teeth with an ultrasonic scaling device and a manual tool. The procedure leaves the teeth feeling smooth, with a brighter appearance. Removing plaque also reduces the chances of tooth decay and gum disease forming, while also providing fresher breath. If you have any questions about screenings, exams, and cleanings, or if you’re ready to schedule one for you or a member of your family, then please contact our team today.

Make Time For Your Screening Today

We would love to help you enjoy optimal oral health. For more information on our preventive exams and dental screenings, then schedule a consultation with us by calling Snow Park Dental in Albuquerque, NM, today at (505) 596-4479.

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