How an Oral Cancer Screening Can Save Your Life

How an Oral Cancer Screening Can Save Your Life

Don’t risk your health. Visit your dentist for routine oral cancer screenings twice a year.

While oral cancer isn’t as publicized as other forms of cancer, it can be just as deadly. Of course, there are measures you can take not only to reduce your risk but also to catch the disease early. Our El Paso, TX, dentist Dr. Steve Yi provides quick, easy, and non-invasive oral cancer screenings to patients of all ages that come in for their routine checkups. Not sure when you last visited the dentist? For the sake of your health, it may be time that you did.

What is involved in an oral cancer screening?

This screening is a simple examination performed by our El Paso, TX, family dentist to inspect the tongue, cheeks, lips, mouth, and throat to look for any cancerous or precancerous growths, lesions, or other problems. This screening is designed to detect oral cancer early on when the cure rate is high.

The good news is that this simple screening isn’t something that you have to make a separate appointment for; our dental team will perform it right here during your six-month checkup. This screening doesn’t take more than five minutes and it’s completely painless.

What are the risk factors of oral cancer?

While anyone can develop oral cancer no matter their age or gender, there are some people who are at a higher risk for developing oral cancer. Factors that could increase your risk include:

  • Using tobacco products
  • Heavy alcohol consumption
  • Having human papillomavirus (HPV)
  • Having gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
  • Excessive sun exposure, which can cause lip cancer

What are the signs and symptoms of oral cancer?

Remember that cancer often doesn’t show signs until the disease has progressed. This is why getting screened twice a year is still the best way to catch oral cancer early; however, you should also make an appointment with your dentist if you are experiencing:

  • Red or white patches in your mouth
  • Lesions or growths that bleed or don’t go away
  • Pain when speaking or swallowing
  • Tongue pain
  • Significant and unexpected weight loss
  • Persistent sore throat
  • Changes in the way your dentures fit together
  • Swelling in your mouth

Who should get screened?

Everyone should get screened! Over the last few years we have seen a rise in younger individuals who develop oral cancer, perhaps because of the rise in HPV cases; therefore, patients of all ages should get screened. If you are high risk, talk with your dentist about how often you should come in for oral cancer screenings.

Are you looking for a dentist in El Paso, TX, that can provide you with everything from routine checkups to immediate dental care? If so, the team at El Paso Viva Dental is here for you. Whether you want to schedule an oral cancer screening or your next cleaning call our office at (915) 751-1007.

Office Hours
Monday:8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday:8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday:8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday:8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday:8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday:Closed
Sunday:Closed

Contact Us

El Paso Viva Dental

El Paso, TX Dentist
El Paso Viva Dental
9584 Dyer St Suite B-1
El Paso, TX 79924
(915) 751-1007
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