At Riverside Dental, we believe prevention is the key to excellent oral health. As part of our ongoing dedication to your overall oral health, we have taken a keen interest in staying on top of the best oral cancer detection techniques available. With regular checkups and professional cleaning, you can be assured that we will do everything possible to protect your oral health and beautiful smile.
The signs of oral cancer
We perform a thorough oral cancer exam during your checkups because early detection can save your life.
Oral cancer is the uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells in the mouth and throat. Some of the warning signs are:
- A red, white, or discolored patch or lump in or around your mouth
- A sore that bleeds easily or that doesn’t heal within 2 weeks
- An area that has thickened, raised, or become hardened
- A rough patch of tissue
- Difficulty chewing or swallowing
- A chronic sore throat or hoarseness
Because early detection is vital to surviving oral cancer, we will perform a thorough oral cancer screening each time we see you in our office for an exam. In addition, if you notice any warning signs, tell us right away. Do not ignore one or more of the signs just because it does not hurt. Most pre-cancerous lesions are completely painless.
As part of our oral cancer exam, we can offer comfortable, non-invasive technologies for detecting cancer in its earliest stages. There can be two steps in oral cancer detection: screening and biopsy.
Screening for oral cancer
First we use a cancer screening technology to help us find and identify suspicious tissues, especially the ones that cannot be seen with the naked eye.
The technology combines a specifically formulated mouthrinse with a special light.
We use a concentrated light that identifies abnormal areas. Under the light, abnormal or suspicious tissues appear white in contrast with the surrounding healthy tissue. If we find any suspicious sores or lesions, we may then use an in-office biopsy system to determine if the area is pre-cancerous or cancerous.
Performing a biopsy for oral cancer
We press a small brush firmly against the area and rotate it gently to collect a sample of cells.
The sample is spread onto a glass slide and sent to the laboratory for examination. At the lab, a computer analyses the cell sample. A pathologist then evaluates the sample and provides a diagnosis.
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