Oral Cancer Screenings

Wayzata Dental offers oral cancer screenings because we truly care about our patients and their overall well-being. We want you to live a healthy, full life. An oral cancer screening is a helpful, preventative measure to detect cancer before you feel any actual symptoms.

We Take the Stress out of Screening

Cancer is scary to think about, but Dr. McDowell and our compassionate team at Wayzata Dental will help you feel relaxed during the screening. Learn more by setting up your next dental appointment with Wayzata Dental.

   
"The laser “drill” is awesome. No Novocaine is a scary thought, but I had no pain at all. Great place to go."
Jacqueline R.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Oral Cancer?

Cancer, simply put, is when cells in the body begin to grow out of control. Cells in nearly any part of the body can become cancerous and spread to other areas of the body. Oral cancer is when this cell growth starts in the mouth, which is why oral cancer screenings are so important The American Cancer Society estimates that 48,330 people in the United States will be diagnosed with oral or oropharyngeal (throat) cancer.

Anyone is at risk of developing oral cancer, but there are several common risk factors:

  • Using tobacco products
  • Excessive consumption of alcohol
  • Overexposure to sunlight (lip cancer)
  • History of neck or oral cancer

What Happens During an Oral Cancer Screening?

An oral cancer screening is a safe, painless process. Your hygienist will look for any irregularities of the mouth and note anything that is of concern. Specifically, they will look for:

  • White or gray patches of cells in the mouth or throat
  • Flat or slightly raised areas that bleed easily
  • Patches of cell with both red and white areas
  • Any other irregularities within the oral cavity

If your hygienist notices anything irregular, there will be appropriate measures taken and tests done to see if the cells are cancerous or not. Early detection is essential to creating an accurate and more effective approach to treatment.

Why Choose Wayzata Dental?

At Wayzata Dental, your comfort and your health are our main priorities. Scheduling an oral cancer screening is a safe, precautionary way to tackle a potential health problem. Cancer is scary to think about, but Dr. McDowell and our compassionate team at Wayzata Dental will help you feel relaxed during the screening. Learn more by setting up your next dental appointment with Wayzata Dental.

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