Maintain Your Dental Health | The Importance of Oral Cancer Screening in Calgary

In 2020, there were an estimated 5400 oral cancer cases in Canada, 1500 of which were fatal. Oral cancer is an insidious variation of the disease. This is due to it not being as common as its closely related cousins breast, bladder, or prostate cancer, but yet still being just as lethal. For this reason, early detection is the key to prevention.

That’s why we here at Pro Grace Dentistry in Calgary offer oral cancer screening services. Your dental health is crucial for both your overall health as well as your quality of life.

Keep reading to learn more about oral cancer as well as our screening services in Calgary, and how they can help you.

What Are Dental Implants?

Oral cancer is the most prevalent form of head or neck cancer. It usually impacts your lips, initial parts of your tongue, as well as the roof and floor of your mouth. It begins in your mouth cells, and if neglected, these cancerous cells can spread; destroying tissue and eventually broadening to other parts of your body.

Moreover, oral cancer – as its name suggests – can form anywhere in the mouth. This includes your lips, inner cheeks, tongue, gums, etc.

Symptoms of Oral Cancer

The onset of oral cancer can usually start off with something as innocuous as a sore in your mouth. If it persists over a prolonged period, it may be cause for concern. Other symptoms can include:

• Persistent, unexplainable bleeding
• Inflammation
• Aching, throbbing or numbness within the mouth
• Pain of the ear
• Persistent sore throat
• Trouble with speaking, swallowing, or pain while eating

Additionally, the aforementioned symptoms can also be indicative of other health problems. As such, getting screened is the most effective method to exclude oral cancer as a possibility – and as a result – get a proper diagnosis.

What Causes Oral Cancer

There is no one thing that can be said to cause oral cancer. Rather than a singular act that results in the formation of this disease, a more plausible conclusion suggests that it’s the effect of multiple variables merging.

Here are a few risk factors that can contribute to the possibility of oral cancer:

• Smoking cigarettes/chewing tobacco
• Excessive alcohol consumption
• Extreme, unprotected exposure to UV rays
• A compromised immune system

The Importance of Oral Cancer Screening

Ideally, oral cancer screening should begin as early as 18 years old. It can be performed once or twice annually and at your convenience during a routine examination. Of course, this may fluctuate on a case-by-case basis, depending on your overall oral health.

The importance of screening can be deduced to early detection. If your dentist finds the onset of oral cancer in its developing stages, the odds of both slowing it down or eliminating it entirely are in your favour.

Oral Cancer Screening: What to Expect

When you book an oral screening at Pro Grace Dentistry in Calgary, your dentist will perform the examination by attempting to detect any early indicators of oral cancer by:

• Asking you questions about certain symptoms you might be experiencing
• Searching for discoloured tissue, sores, swelling or inflammation
• Feeling for deformities or disproportionate surfacing within the mouth

Once the examination is performed, your dentist can then determine how to proceed. If the suspecting presence of oral cancer is imminent, then a biopsy will be required to make a more conclusive diagnosis.

Oral Cancer Services

There are a myriad of services we offer at Pro Grace Dentistry offer related to oral cancer. View the list below to find what is most appropriate for your situation.

Oral Exams

A standard oral exam at Pro Grace Dentistry is an essential procedure to ensure your teeth, gums, and overall oral health are in a healthy state. For this reason, our team of expert dentists perform these oral exams with scrupulous attention—treating each assessment with the careful awareness that’s required for a thorough examination.

Dental Cleanings

To fend off oral cancer (as well as live an overall healthy, high-quality life), regular dental cleanings should be a part of your health and wellbeing ritual. Everyone is familiar with the standard practice of brushing and flossing. However, not everyone heeds to the seriousness of regular dental cleanings.

As an important procedure to keep your mouth healthy and stave off disease, be sure to visit us at Pro Grace Dentistry for your dental cleaning.

At Pro Grace Dentistry, our committed team of dental experts is here to meet the dental needs of you and your family. Our modern, top-of-the-line equipment and family-oriented accommodations ensure superior dental care service for your whole family – no matter the age.

Oral Cancer Screening

With the imminent dangers associated with oral cancer, knowing that defences are available is a very comforting notion. And the main defence against oral cancer comes in the form of oral cancer screenings. The cure to this disease is prevention, and prevention comes from living a healthy lifestyle, taking care of your dental health, and getting regular screenings.

Final Thoughts

Living a great life means ensuring your dental health is properly cared for. This is the best and most effective manner to avoid debilitating diseases such as oral cancer. For this reason, it would be prudent of you to make time to visit your dentist. Experts agree every 6 months is sufficient.

Consequently, if you feel you’re overdue for a check-up, be sure to contact us today to book your appointment.