Cancer in general is something not to be taken lightly and oral cancer is no different. Because it’s in your mouth it can be very hard to detect, but to the trained eye of your dental professional, it can be found. There are several types of cancers that can develop in several different locations inside our mouths, including the lips, tongue, cheeks, floor of the mouth, soft and hard palate, sinuses and throat. How is it detected? Well, at routine dental visits your dentist will thoroughly examine your mouth, head and neck for any abnormal lumps, or tissue that looks out of the ordinary. If anything looks suspicious, further examination can be performed in the office or be referred to specialists.
The symptoms of oral cancer can be tricky because they can come and go or may go unnoticed. The most common symptoms are swelling, lumps, bumps, rough spots, or eroding on lips, tongue, or any area in the mouth. There can also be difficulty swallowing, chewing, or moving the jaw or tongue, unexplained bleeding, persistent sores lasting longer than two weeks and severe weight loss.
A good defense to oral cancer is being educated and prepared. Self-checking every month is a good way to be aware. In fact, just being familiar with your own mouth can help you notice if something is suddenly different. Early detection is key for Dr. Patrick Simone and is the main reason why he offers a test that can detect cells that can be precancerous.
Schedule an appointment today with cosmetic and general dentist Dr. Simone at (702) 735-2755.
Dr. Simone proudly serves patients from Las Vegas, Henderson, Silverado Ranch, Enterprise, Whitney, Spring Valley and all surrounding ares.