Yes, dental exams can detect oral cancer. As a result, these routine visits are a vital part of every patient’s oral health routine. After all, early detection is central to catching oral cancer in its earliest stages when it's most treatable and increasing the likelihood of successful treatment.
During a dental exam, your dentist thoroughly checks your tongue, lips, gums, and throat to identify risk factors and early signs of oral cancer. These exams involve looking for lumps, unusual red or white patches, sores that won't heal, or thickened areas in soft tissues. This professional evaluation is crucial as these early warning signs are often subtle and can be overlooked. Dentists are trained to recognize these warning signs and can refer you to a specialist for further testing if they find anything suspicious.
Routine dental exams are generally recommended every six months. Maintaining this schedule (or something close) provides a critical opportunity to screen for oral cancer while ensuring your ongoing oral health. This proactive can save time, money, discomfort, inconvenience, and even lives by catching cancer before it advances and spreads.
Oral Cancer Screenings and Dental Exams in Paducah, KY
If you’re in Paducah and looking for a dental practice with experience in all aspects of preventive dentistry, including dental exams and oral cancer screenings, rather than Googling “dentist near me” and just taking your chances, contact Dr. Scott Bridges and the excellent Smile Station team to schedule an appointment!