Family Dentistry

Oral Cancer Screening in San Ramon

Regular oral cancer screenings are crucial, especially for those in high-risk groups, as they can detect signs of the disease before it spreads. Early detection allows for timely treatment, which significantly increases the chances of remission and successful management. This proactive approach to oral health care can make a critical difference in outcomes for patients.

Regular oral cancer screenings are as vital as routine dental checkups. Fortunately, patients can request both procedures during the same appointment. The National Cancer Institute notes that symptoms of oral cancer often do not appear until the disease has advanced, making early detection critical for more effective treatment and higher chances of remission.

WebMD recommends that everyone should have a dental checkup at least once a year. However, there is no clear consensus among experts on the frequency of oral cancer screenings. A dentist can perform a thorough examination and provide guidance on how often screenings should be done based on individual risk factors.

While regular oral cancer screenings are crucial for maintaining overall health, Mayo Clinic notes that it can be challenging to identify abnormal cells with just a visual examination. This means that subtle signs of cancer or precancerous lesions might be missed.

It’s important to understand that finding a cluster of unusual cells doesn’t necessarily indicate cancer. A biopsy is required for a definitive diagnosis. If cancer is detected, catching it early offers the patient more treatment options.

Although there is no conclusive evidence linking screenings directly to reduced oral cancer mortality, regular screenings can help detect cancers at an early stage, increasing the likelihood of successful treatment and remission.

Oral cancer screening requires no special preparation and is usually conducted during a routine dental appointment. During the screening, the dentist thoroughly examines various parts of the mouth, including the back of the throat, gums, insides of the cheeks, outside and inside of the lips, roof of the mouth, and the tongue. Patients who wear dentures need to remove them so that the Sharma Dental Center can inspect the tissue beneath and the area underneath the jaw. The entire screening process typically takes less than five minutes.