Oral Cancer Screenings in Thousand Oaks, California

When you think about it, your mouth is home to many strange things: hidden teeth, gums, tongue, and tonsils. But not many people know it’s also home to some severe bacteria.

The CDC estimates that there are more than 33 million cases of oral diseases every year in the United States alone. Some of them are even precursors to cancer. In fact, according to the American Cancer Society, in 2017, there were around 7,300 newly diagnosed cases of oral cancer nationwide—that’s roughly 19 new diagnoses per day.

If left untreated and undetected, it can lead to death. That’s why at Lombard Dental Studio, we offer dental checkups and cancer screenings as part of our standard package for all new patients.

What is Oral Cancer?

Oral cancer is a disease that forms in your mouth. Risk factors for oral cancer include smoking, chewing tobacco, consuming alcohol, and having a poor diet. There are two main types of oral cancer:

Squamous cell carcinoma

This type of cancer forms in the skin inside your mouth, on the surface of your tongue, or in your gums.

Carcinoma

This type of cancer forms in the epithelial cells lining your mouth, including the gums and tongue.

Common Symptoms of Oral Cancer

While watching for the warning signs of oral cancer is essential, it’s also important to remember that not all of them are the same for everyone. Here are the most common symptoms to watch out for:

A lump in your mouth that doesn’t go away

This is a common symptom of oral cancer, especially carcinoma.

A change in the color of your gums

It’s also possible for oral cancer to cause your gums to turn abnormally white or red.

Sores that don’t heal

Similarly, oral cancer can cause sores to stay in your mouth for a long time.

Lombard Dental Studio's Screenings to Detect Oral Cancer

There are two screenings that Lombard Dental Studio performs to detect oral cancer. The first is a visual oral cancer screening performed by our dentists during your initial oral exam.

During this screening, we'll look inside your mouth and observe all of the different areas of your mouth to see if there are any signs of cancer. 

Another standard oral cancer screening is a tongue and lip biopsy. During a tongue and lip biopsy, a small portion of your tongue and gums are removed and analyzed to check for signs of cancer.

Risk Factors for Oral Cancer

If you’re worried about getting oral cancer, it’s essential to know the risk factors that make you more susceptible. Here are some risk factors for oral cancer:

• You smoke cigarettes or use chewing tobacco.
• You are a heavy drinker.
• You have poor oral hygiene.
• You have a poor diet.
• You have a family history of oral cancer.

Additional Tests

Oral Cancer Screening Light

One of the most common oral cancer screening methods is a light exam. A "light" exam is when a dentist shines a very bright light inside your mouth.

While many oral cancer screening lights are available, they all work the same way. A light exam is an effective and non-invasive way to spot telltale indicators of oral cancers. 

Oral Cancer Screening Dye

Another oral cancer screening method is oral cancer screening dye. This is performed in the same manner as regular teeth cleaning or gum disease examination.

During the oral cancer screening, the dentist will use a special colored oral cancer screening dye that is safe for you and your dentist. It will stain all areas of your mouth, including places that are usually not visible.

FAQs

What to Expect from an Oral Cancer Screening at Lombard Dental Studio

At Lombard Dental Studio, we want to ensure that every patient gets the best oral cancer screening possible. That is why we perform a visual and oral cancer screening at each visit and a tongue and lip biopsy.

At our visual oral cancer screening, one of our dentists will look inside your mouth and observe all the different areas to check for possible cancer symptoms. We will schedule you for a tongue and lip biopsy if they notice any early signs of oral cancer.

What Happens if Oral Cancer is Diagnosed?

If your dentist notices any signs of oral cancer during your oral cancer screening, they will refer you to a specialist for further testing. If oral cancer is diagnosed, your dentist will work with you to determine the best treatment plan.

Lombard Dental Studio’s Dental Commitment To Patients

We are committed to providing high-quality service to every patient who walks through our doors. That is why our office offers dental services, especially oral cancer screenings.

Our high skilled and trained team of dental professionals have been providing this service for more than a decade now. We understand that choosing between preventive, restorative, apicoectomy, oral surgery, sedation, sleep apnea treatment, orthodontic, or cosmetic dentistry procedure for yourself can be extremely difficult and overwhelming at the same time.

There are many things to consider, including the procedure type, cost, treatment duration, and recovery time. To help you get started on this incredible journey of beautiful smiles, we have compiled some information regarding the dental cleanings and exams we offer at Lombard Dental Studio in Thousand Oaks, California.