Oral Cancer Screenings
Aspen Dental is honored to be awarded 5280 Magazine' Top Dentist Award from 2016-2024!
Oral Cancer Screening in Denver, CO
In our continuing efforts to enhance patient care, Aspen Dental is proud to announce the inclusion of the Oral CDx Brush Biopsy exam as an essential part of our annual comprehensive oral screen program. An Oral CDx Brush Biopsy exam is one of the best ways to screen for cancer. It is a non-invasive way to ensure your health before moving into more significant procedures. If you are in Denver, Colorado, see us today! We are doing our part to help protect you from cancer with oral cancer screenings.
One person dies every hour from oral cancer in the United States. This is the sad and unfortunate truth. However, late detection of oral cancer is the primary reason mortality rates are dismal. If you have any of the symptoms listed below, don’t wait to come to see us. We are ready to help you!
What are the Symptoms of Oral Cancer
- Mouth sores that won’t heal
- White or red patch inside your mouth
- Mouth, ear, or neck pain
- Growth or lump inside your mouth
- Difficulty and pain when swallowing
Major Causes of Oral Cancer
- As with most other cancers, age is the primary risk factor for oral cancer.
- Though tobacco use is a major predisposing risk factor, 25% of people living with oral cancer have no lifestyle risk factors.
- Alcohol is another significant risk factor when it comes to oral cancer.
- Infection of human papillomavirus (HPV) will lead to oral cancer.
According to the American Cancer Society, more women in the United States will be diagnosed with oral cancer this year than cervical cancer. Studies show an increasing link between the human papillomavirus (HPV 16/18) and oral cancer.
After the standard visual, oral cancer examination, we will use the Oral CDx Brush Biopsy exam. It can help identify suspicious areas that we may have missed during a conventional exam. Early detection of precancerous tissue can minimize or eliminate the potentially disfiguring effects of oral cancer and possibly save your life. ViziLite Plus is a painless examination that gives this practice a better chance to find any oral abnormalities you may have at their earliest possible stage.
All of our oral screenings are painless and can be done in our dental office right by the side of your chair. The process is quick and simple and can save you in the long run. It is an easy procedure to perform but will bring you lasting benefits.
If there are any signs of oral cancer, it is time to call your doctor. We can send any information we receive to them to get you started on the healing process. If oral cancer is caught sooner, there is a better chance of beating it. The most common treatments are chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and surgery. Your doctor will work with you to discuss the route you should take.
One of the best things to prevent oral surgery is to stay up to date with your bi-annual visits. Our staff is trained to spot signs of oral cancer, so even if you are not in our dental office to be screened, we can still watch out for it. You can also do other things, like quit smoking and drinking. You can take extra good care of your teeth by diligently practicing good oral hygiene.
Call Aspen Dental today for your oral cancer screening appointment in Denver, Colorado. We are eager to work with you and help you avoid oral cancer and its extensive treatment options. If you have any questions about the screening, give us a call or come into our dental office! We are here to help you!