Oral Cancer Screening

At Creek View Dental in St. Catharines, we want you to live a long, healthy and happy life.

Many major illnesses are linked to poor dental health, so it’s important that you regularly see a dentist. Not only will regular dental visits provide an opportunity to prevent teeth and gum diseases, but they also offer a chance to complete an oral cancer screening. As we know oral health and systemic whole body health are intimately connected.

What is Oral Cancer?

Oral cancer is when there is an abnormal cell growth in the mouth, tongue, lips or throat. People over the age of 45 are most at risk of developing oral cancer. Other risk factors include consuming tobacco products, alcohol consumption, heavy exposure to the sun and a poor diet.

The good news? Caught early enough with regular oral cancer exams, oral cancers like mouth cancer and tongue cancer can be successfully treated.

What’s Involved with an Oral Cancer Screening?

Our dentists at Creek View Dental are highly trained on the latest techniques in oral screening detection. We know exactly what to look for during an oral cancer exam and will help you understand your risks of getting oral cancer.

At Creek View Dental, every regular dental appointment includes an oral cancer screening. During the oral cancer screenings, our experienced dental team looks for signs and symptoms of oral cancer. These include looking for coloured patches, lumps, bleeding, and mouth numbness, as well as investigating any swallowing or taste/tongue issues.

We will also educate you on any preventative measures to be taken to avoid getting oral cancer.

What Happens if Oral Cancer is Suspected?

If one of our Creek View Dental dentists detect oral cancer during your screening, rest assured that we will act as fast as possible to get it treated successfully.

To verify if you have oral cancer, a biopsy may be taken of the suspicious area for any abnormal tissue. Imaging tests (including x-rays, MRIs and, ultrasounds) may be taken or referrals to the appropriate specialist will be provided.

If necessary, chemotherapy, radiation therapy or surgery may be required to remove a tumour(s).

Successfully treating oral cancer depends on the extent and location of the disease, as well as the health and age of the patient.

Early Detection = Treating Oral Cancer Successfully

Remember: the chances of beating oral cancer are greater when the disease is caught early enough. Completing regular dental check-ups that include oral cancer screenings are crucial for early detection and for preventing oral cancer from developing.

Other prevention tips include:

• Stop using tobacco products including chewing tobacco
• Limit alcohol consumption
• Reduce sun exposure and use lip balms that have U/V protection
• Eat healthy (lots of fruits and vegetables)
• Checking your mouth regularly for signs and symptoms such as white or red patches, unsusual bumps, bleeding or mouth numbness. Report any abnormalities to your dentist as soon as possible.

Creek View Dental: Experts on Oral Cancer Prevention

We pride ourselves on providing the best preventative measures when it comes to your oral health!

At your next dental exam, ask us about oral cancer screenings. Let us get any of your oral cancer questions answered. We’ll even show you how to complete a regular oral cancer screening at home, too.

Call Creek View Dental Today to Schedule an Oral Cancer Screening!

Schedule a dental appointment with Creek View Dental to have an oral cancer screening completed. If you live in the St. Catharines, Niagara Falls, Thorold or Welland area call our office today.