The Importance of Oral Cancer Screening: A Crucial Step in Your Routine Dental Exam

At Metro Decatur Dental Group PC, we prioritize your oral health and the well-being of our local community in Decatur, GA. That’s why we include a comprehensive oral cancer screening at no additional cost during every routine dental exam. In this blog post, we will delve into what a routine dental exam entails and shed light on the significance of getting an oral cancer screening.

Understanding a Routine Dental Exam A routine dental exam at Metro Decatur Dental Group PC is a thorough assessment of your teeth and gums, encompassing various aspects of your oral health.

According to the recommendations of the American Dental Association (ADA), most individuals should undergo two routine exams per year. However, our knowledgeable dental professionals will advise you if additional cleanings and exams are necessary. Some individuals with specific oral health conditions may require extra care and maintenance, which is why routine dental exams play a crucial role in safeguarding both oral and overall health. Detecting and addressing complications promptly can prevent them from escalating into more severe issues.

The Comprehensive Nature of Routine Dental Exams Routine dental exams go beyond mere dental care. These regular cleanings and examinations serve as proactive measures to identify tooth decay, oral diseases, and early oral health issues. Timely detection of problems allows for prompt intervention, preventing further progression or complications. As part of our commitment to comprehensive care, Metro Decatur Dental Group PC ensures that every dental exam includes an oral cancer screening.

Unveiling the Importance of Oral Cancer Screening An oral cancer screening is designed to detect cancer before any symptoms manifest. Early detection significantly improves the chances of successful treatment. By the time symptoms become noticeable, the disease may have already advanced.

The Oral Cancer Foundation has established a rigorous screening protocol that examines various areas, including:

• The lining tissues of the mouth, lips, and cheeks
• The roof of the mouth
• The area beneath the tongue
• The spots behind the wisdom teeth
• The throat
• The tongue

How Does an Oral Cancer Screening Work? During your routine exam at Metro Decatur Dental Group PC, our clinical team will perform a swift and painless oral cancer screening. The screening itself takes only a few minutes and can detect the disease as early as stage 2.

We incorporate this essential preventative care step into all our routine dental exams to ensure the well-being of our patients.

In the event of an abnormal oral cancer screening result, further tests may be required to confirm the presence of oral cancer.

Understanding the Importance Regular dental and hygiene appointments go beyond maintaining good oral health. They encompass the crucial aspect of routine dental exams, which include your oral cancer screening.

The oral cancer screening provides an opportunity for you to discuss any concerns or questions you may have about mouth cancer with your dental professional. Feel free to come prepared with inquiries and seek guidance regarding recommended lifestyle changes. It is natural to feel apprehensive about oral cancer, but participating in this quick and painless screening regularly will keep you informed and put your mind at ease.