Oral Cancer Screening

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Protect Your Health with Comprehensive Oral Cancer Screening

At Dental Partners of Fifth Avenue, located on the Upper East Side of New York City, your health and well-being are our top priorities. As part of our commitment to comprehensive care, we provide thorough oral cancer screenings during your routine dental examinations. Early detection is crucial in the successful treatment of oral cancer, and our meticulous screenings are designed to identify any suspicious signs or precancerous conditions.

What is Oral Cancer Screening?

Oral cancer screening is a visual and physical examination of your mouth, throat, head, and neck performed by our dentists to detect any signs or symptoms of oral cancer or precancerous lesions. This vital screening is a non-invasive procedure that is typically quick and comfortable, and it plays a critical role in identifying potential issues at their earliest, most treatable stages.

During the screening, our experienced dentists will carefully evaluate:

Your Face and Neck: We will visually inspect and gently palpate your head and neck for any lumps, bumps, swelling, or asymmetry.
Your Lips: We will examine the outer and inner surfaces of your lips for any sores, discoloration, or unusual textures.
Your Gums: We will check your gums for any redness, swelling, bleeding, white or red patches, or sores.
The Lining of Your Cheeks: We will examine the inner surfaces of your cheeks for any abnormalities.
Your Tongue: We will inspect the top, bottom, and sides of your tongue, as well as underneath it, for any unusual changes.
The Floor of Your Mouth: We will examine the area under your tongue for any lumps, bumps, or discoloration.
Your Palate (Roof of Your Mouth): We will inspect both the hard and soft palate for any abnormalities.
Your Throat: We will visually examine the back of your throat.
Your Temporomandibular Joints (TMJs): We will also evaluate the function of your jaw joints.

Benefits of Regular Oral Cancer Screenings:

Early Detection: Screening can identify oral cancer or precancerous changes at their earliest stages, when treatment is most likely to be successful and have a better outcome.
Improved Survival Rates: Early detection significantly increases the chances of successful treatment and improves survival rates for oral cancer.
Non-Invasive Procedure: The screening process is quick, comfortable, and does not involve any invasive procedures.
Peace of Mind: Knowing that you are being regularly screened can provide peace of mind regarding your oral health.
Part of Comprehensive Care: We integrate oral cancer screening into your routine dental visits, making it a convenient and essential part of your overall oral healthcare.
Education and Awareness: Our dentists can discuss your risk factors for oral cancer and provide guidance on ways to reduce your risk.

Who is a Good Candidate for Oral Cancer Screening?

Everyone should undergo regular oral cancer screenings. While the risk of oral cancer increases with age, it can affect individuals of all ages. However, certain factors can increase your risk, making regular screenings particularly important if you:

• Use tobacco in any form (cigarettes, cigars, chewing tobacco, snuff, etc.).

• Have a history of heavy alcohol consumption.

• Have a previous diagnosis of oral cancer or precancerous lesions.

• Have a family history of oral cancer.

• Have prolonged sun exposure to the lips.

• Have the Human Papillomavirus (HPV).

Even if you don’t have any of these risk factors, regular oral cancer screenings are a vital part of maintaining your overall health.

How Does Oral Cancer Screening Work?

During your routine dental examination at our Upper East Side office, our dentists will perform a thorough oral cancer screening. This involves a careful visual inspection and gentle palpation (feeling) of the tissues in your mouth, head, and neck. We will look for any:

Sores that don’t heal

White or red patches

Lumps or thickening of the tissues

Pain or tenderness

Difficulty swallowing or speaking

Changes in your bite

If we identify any suspicious areas, we will discuss our findings with you openly and explain the next steps. In most cases, minor changes in the mouth are not cancerous. However, to ensure your health, we may:

Monitor the Area: We may recommend a follow-up appointment in a few weeks to see if the area heals on its own.
Brush Biopsy: We may gently collect a few cells from the surface of the suspicious area for laboratory analysis.
Laser Excision and Biopsy: For small lesions, we may use a laser to remove the area entirely, and the tissue will be sent to a pathology laboratory for analysis.
Referral for Biopsy: If necessary, we may refer you to a specialist for a more extensive biopsy, where a larger tissue sample is taken for analysis.

Rest assured that we will keep you informed every step of the way and provide clear explanations of any findings and recommendations.

Prioritize Your Health with Regular Screenings

Oral cancer screening is a simple yet potentially life-saving part of your routine dental care. Make it a priority to schedule regular checkups at Dental Partners of Fifth Avenue on the Upper East Side, where our dedicated team is committed to protecting your oral and overall health through comprehensive oral cancer screenings.

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