Dentists play a very important role that extends beyond oral health. In fact, dental care can also help detect and prevent mouth cancer. So with regular dental check-ups, you can help keep your teeth and gums healthy and give you a chance to get a full oral cancer test.

Dentists Can Help Prevent Oral Cancer

Be informed that dentists are very important for keeping your gums and teeth healthy. Here are some of the things that they can do to help you take care of your teeth.

  • Comprehensive oral examination

Dentists will help look at your whole mouth and give you a full report on the health of your teeth. Things in your mouth that are part of it are your lips, cheeks, tongue, throat, teeth, and gums. They will also check for sores, lumps, red or white spots, and other conditions that could be signs of cancer.

  • Advanced screening tools

Some of them use specialised tools like dyes or fluorescence lights in order to identify abnormal tissues that may not be visible just by applying standard examinations. That is why you certainly need to have regular appointments with your dentist in Midland.

  • Assessing risk factors

It is also the responsibility of your dentist to discuss the risk factors of certain habits like alcohol use, smoking, and exposure to human papillomavirus. Thus, it is essential that you understand these factors in order to create personalised prevention strategies.

  • Referral for further evaluation

When your dentist detects abnormalities, you will be referred to a specialist for further evaluation. The most common procedure is to refer you to a biopsy or additional tests in order to confirm the diagnosis of the dentist. Your dentist can also provide advice to maintain good oral hygiene, quit smoking, reduce alcohol intake, and eat a balanced diet. These are key steps that can prevent oral cancer.

Dentists Use Non-Invasive Procedures

Your dentist can use a quick and painless process to find the early signs of oral cancer and keep you from getting it.

  • Visual examination

Your mouth, throat, and surrounding areas are examined for visible abnormalities, such as the presence of sores or lesions, swelling, lumps, or rough spots.

  • Physical examination

The areas surrounding your jaw, neck, and under your chin will be checked by your dentist for unusual lumps or swelling. They may press gently on areas inside your mouth to better identify tender spots or thickened tissues around it.

Can Dentists Treat Oral Cancer?

Of course, oral cancer can be treated when detected early. The success of getting treated greatly depends on the stage of the cancer, location, and how quickly it will be identified and addressed. In fact, it has a high survival rate of around 80-90% when diagnosed early. The chances may even increase with regular screenings by a dentist or healthcare professional.

Surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, and immunotherapy are the most popular ways to treat oral cancer. The best way to avoid getting the disease in the first place, though, is to get regular dental checkups and stay away from things that put you at risk.