An oral cancer screening is a simple, routine process to check the mouth, lips, tongue, throat, and surrounding tissues for unusual lesions, including early signs of cancer. Early detection plays a significant role in successful oral cancer treatment, but many people do not get a diagnosis until it’s in later stages.
This quick exam allows our team to identify abnormal changes before they become more serious, so you can get prompt care. At Sethi Virdi DDS, we provide regular oral cancer screenings in Milpitas and San Jose, CA, as part of your routine dental care to protect your health and give you peace of mind.
Oral cancer often develops without pain or early warning signs, which is why many people do not notice a problem until the disease reaches an advanced stage. Early detection is vital in improving long-term treatment success and minimizing the impact on your quality of life.
Many people believe that they aren’t at risk for oral cancer because they don’t smoke, but anyone can develop oral cancer. Our team is trained to recognize signs of oral cancer and to perform routine screenings, taking into account risk factors such as your lifestyle and family history.
We carefully look at your lips, gums, tongue, cheeks, throat, soft palate, and the floor and roof of your mouth. This step helps us spot asymmetries, swelling, lumps, color changes, sores, or unusual tissue. We frequently do this with a small light and a mirror while performing our routine check-up.
We gently feel the jaw, neck, and oral tissues for unusual lumps, firmness, and changes in texture. This hands-on exam helps detect changes below the surface. It adds another level of accuracy to your screening.
Advanced screening tools, such as the VELscope, help identify abnormal tissue that the eye cannot see. This device uses specialized blue light to highlight areas of tissue with abnormally shaped cells, making it easier to identify precancerous lesions. This is a safe, non-invasive way to detect changes below the surface and provide more accurate oral cancer screenings.
If we find areas of concern, we may recommend further testing. A biopsy involves taking a sample of the suspicious cells, which we’ll send to a lab to examine under a microscope. Although oral cancer screenings can alert us to a potential problem, a confirmed oral cancer diagnosis requires a more comprehensive evaluation.
Most adults benefit from an oral cancer screening about once a year. Patients with higher risk factors may need more frequent exams. Our team will help determine the right schedule for you.
Screening for oral cancer is a quick, painless, non-invasive process. In fact, it’s usually part of your regular dental check-ups. If you need other tests, such as a biopsy, the area will be thoroughly numbed to ensure a comfortable procedure.
A visual oral cancer screening is part of your regular dental check-up. Many dental insurance plans include oral cancer screening as part of your preventive care, but there may be separate charges for more involved tests. Coverage varies by provider and plan, but our team can help review your benefits.
Yes, and this is often the best time to get a screening. Oral cancer can progress without symptoms in its early stages, and symptoms may not develop until the condition is quite advanced. Screening without symptoms helps identify problems early, increasing your chances of successful treatment.
An oral cancer screening usually takes just a few minutes. It fits easily into a routine dental visit. Quick exams can make a life-changing difference.
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