Every six months, you should see your dentist for a routine checkup and cleaning. These preventive visits allow us to preserve your oral health and protect your smile from common complications. In addition to removing plaque and examining your teeth, we also screen for serious oral health issues, such as periodontal disease or oral cancer. Do you need an oral cancer screening?
Oral Cancer Screening
About once a year you should undergo an oral cancer screening. These visits are vital, as the disease is often only caught in the later stages due to patients putting off their checkups. As a result, the disease has a high mortality rate, with half of patients succumbing within five years of being diagnosed. However, early diagnoses increase the chances of a recovery.
During the exam, we will look for possible indicators of the issue, including patches of red and white, lesions that don’t heal after 14 days, or rough patches. Persistent hoarseness, changes to your voice, or pain in the throat that doesn’t seem to heal. We can then refer you to a specialist for treatment.
Periodontal Disease Screening
We will also perform a screening for periodontal disease. Gum disease is a serious issue, one that unless treated, can actually threaten the stability of the tooth, causing adult tooth loss in the later stages. We can identify the presence of inflammation or the disease itself. We can then help you manage it using deep cleanings, antibiotics, or even laser dentistry. Management will help you stay free of periodontitis, the advanced stage responsible for tooth loss. If you have any questions or concerns about our screenings, or about checkups and cleanings in general, then please contact our office today.
To learn more, schedule a consultation online, or call our office today at (847) 230-9703.