Drs. Lan Vo and Sean Breckley of the Kennesaw area welcome patients of all ages to their practice, and want to help them with more than basic general dental care. This is why they also provide oral cancer screening. Oral cancer is more common than patients realize, and early detection and diagnosis is key to overcoming it.
Oral cancer is a serious condition and should not be taken lightly. It can be diagnosed with the help of a dental professional. At 32 Dental, we educate our patients on the development of oral cancer and symptoms to look for at all stages. Patients who have oral cancer may experience one or several of the signs listed below:
- Enlarged lymph nodes in the neck
- Loss of taste
- Difficulty swallowing due to pain or soreness
- Increased drooling
- Dry mouth
- Unusual changes in voice
- Sores in the mouth that do not heal
- White or red patches in the mouth
- Ulcers
- Persistent bad breath
Treatment of oral cancer will vary depending on the stage the cancer has reached as well as the location. Some patients may benefit from radiation or chemotherapy while others may be able to address it with surgical removal of the cancerous cells. Radiation and chemotherapy is often recommended in cases when there is a concern that the cancer has spread elsewhere in the body.
If you are experiencing one or more of the symptoms above and are concerned about your oral health, seek a thorough evaluation with a dentist in the Kennesaw area. The team at 32 Dental is trained to provide oral cancer screenings and can discuss with patients the options for treatment after a proper diagnosis. We encourage patients to come into our practice to discuss the benefits of proper oral health habits and the importance of regular oral cancer screenings.