At Innovative Dentistry, your trusted dentist in Davenport, we want to emphasize the critical importance of regular oral cancer screenings as part of your overall dental health. Early detection is key, and it can significantly improve the success rate of treatment for oral cancer. That’s why we include thorough oral cancer screenings in our comprehensive dental services.
During your screening, our experienced dentist will carefully examine your lips, tongue, gums, mouth, and throat for any signs of abnormalities that could be or become cancerous. We take any symptoms you report seriously, and if you’ve been experiencing any of the following symptoms for more than a week without improvement, we urge you to schedule an appointment immediately:
- Ear pain
- Unexplained mouth bleeding
- Mouth sores that don’t heal
- White or red patches in your mouth
- Significant weight loss
- Lumps or swellings in or around your mouth
- Persistent sore throat without sinus symptoms
- Feeling like something is caught in the back of your throat
- Difficulty or pain when swallowing, speaking, or moving your jaw or tongue
Every hour, one American dies from oral cancer. While anyone can develop this disease, certain factors can increase your risk, such as genetic predisposition, prolonged sun exposure, poor diet, and excessive alcohol consumption. Men are more commonly affected than women, and those with gastro-esophageal reflux disease (GERD) are also at higher risk. Most notably, tobacco users are six times more likely to develop oral cancer than non-users.
The success of oral cancer treatment depends on the size, type, and stage of the cancer when detected. Early detection is crucial—when caught in its initial stages, the survival rate for oral cancer is between 80-90%. This is because early treatment is often less invasive and more effective. In contrast, cancers detected in later stages are typically larger, more complex, and have likely spread beyond the mouth.
We are currently accepting new patients at Innovative Dentistry. If you have concerns about oral cancer or would like more information about our oral cancer screenings, please contact our office in Davenport to schedule a consultation. Early detection can save your life—don’t wait to get screened.