Oral cancer screenings in Sacramento, CA

The timely detection and treatment of oral cancer are through regular dental exams and oral cancer screenings at our office in Blossom Dental Wellness in the Sacramento area, California. Here, Dr. Novan Nguyen performs oral cancer screenings to help identify the initial signs of cancerous conditions. He can help address any concerns you may have about oral cancer during your appointment and determine if a screening is needed for you.

Why Is Oral Cancer Screening Important?

Oral cancer screenings involve evaluating a patient for signs of cancer even before they display any symptoms. Cancer may already have spread by the time the symptoms begin to show.

Early diagnosis of oral cancer makes the condition more treatable and increases the rate of patient survival. Depending on your risk factors, you may be screened for oral cancer during your regular dental exam. Timely detection of cancerous lesions in the mouth makes it possible to treat oral cancer early and successfully.

What Are the Risk Factors For Oral Cancer?

One of the most significant risks for oral cancer is tobacco use, including cigarettes and chewing tobacco. Other factors include heavy alcohol use, prior oral cancer diagnoses, a family history of oral cancers, and excessive sun exposure, which can increase your risk of lip cancer.

Oral cancer screenings are typically performed on patients over the age of 40. However, we may perform cancer screenings earlier if you have other risk factors.

How Is an Oral Cancer Screening Done?

Most oral cancer screenings are conducted during a regular dental exam. Dr. Novan Nguyen will visually assess your oral cavity and look for sores or red or white patches. He will palpitate your mouth tissues to detect lumps or other irregularities. Patients who use dentures will need to remove them so that the tissues underneath can be examined.

A special light or other procedure may also be used to help evaluate any suspect areas in the mouth. If any signs of cancer or lesions are identified, the doctor will recommend a follow-up visit to see if the lesion, lump, or abnormality is still present or changed in any way. Based on this, he may recommend a biopsy to determine the presence of cancerous cells.

Thorough screenings at your regular dental checkups that produce early diagnoses, are one of the best ways to deal with oral cancer.

Dental exams that include a screening for oral cancer can save lives through early detection. To have a screening done, call Blossom Dental Wellness in Sacramento, California, at 916-422-3991to schedule an appointment with Dr. Novan Nguyen.