Oral Cancer Screening
Massapequa, NY
 Regular brushing and flossing at home are essential for eliminating plaque, bacteria, acids, and other debris from the surfaces of your teeth and helping to prevent issues such as gum disease. While a major component of your oral hygiene, taking care of your mouth at home is only part of the equation. Regular dental cleanings are also important. At Detailed Dental Care, we can provide the professional care you need to help eliminate buildup. While we clean your teeth, we also scan your oral tissues for signs of oral cancer.
Your Dental Cleaning
Dental cleanings are an essential component of good oral hygiene. The American Dental Association recommends cleanings every six months. Cleanings are important for removing buildup from all surfaces of your teeth, including the ones that you might miss or not clean thoroughly. They are designed to help prevent serious issues like tooth decay and gum disease.
Your cleaning begins with a thorough scrubbing of your teeth. With a specialized tool, we scrub all surfaces of your teeth, including just below the gum line. We can remove plaque, tartar or calcified plaque, bacteria, and other debris. Next, we polish your teeth. This is accomplished with an electric handpiece and a dental polish that contains abrasives. The polish scrubs your teeth to a beautiful shine. Finally, we floss your teeth. This is done to remove any buildup, including debris and polish from your cleaning. If necessary, we can also provide you with a fluoride treatment to help strengthen your enamel and protect your teeth against decay and cavities.
The Importance of Oral Cancer Screenings
Oral cancer screenings are performed at every regular dental checkup as a part of your dental exam. These screenings are done to check the soft tissues of your mouth for abnormalities that could point toward oral cancer. Oral cancer is a serious pathological disease that can strike anywhere in your mouth, including the lips, gums, cheeks, palate, tongue, or the back of the mouth. If not caught, and treated, early, oral cancer can spread to other parts of the body and can be deadly.
When we check the inside of your mouth, we scan your soft tissues for signs of red or white patches and other unusual growths. Other symptoms that can also point toward oral cancer include sores that refuse to heal, changes in your bite, trouble swallowing or breathing, and a numb sensation in your jaw. Knowing these symptoms can help you to take action quickly between your regularly scheduled visits rather than waiting and letting oral cancer progress.
If an unusual growth or lesion is found, the next step is a closer examination. This examination includes both x-rays as well as a soft tissue biopsy. A biopsy involves removing a portion of the lesion, or the whole lesion if it is small, for examination under a microscope. Biopsies are valuable tools for diagnosing or ruling out oral cancer. If the tissue is found to be cancerous, we can help you to get the treatment you need right away.
Cleanings and cancer screenings are integral in helping you to maintain optimal oral health and prevent serious issues from developing. Call Detailed Dental Care today to schedule your appointment at (516) 875-6774. |
