Dentist in Wicker Park: Importance of Oral Cancer Screenings

Having regular checkups with our dentist is critical for maintaining your gum and dental health. However, another important aspect of your regular dental checkup is an oral cancer screening — this screening will examine your mouth and gum tissues for any lesions, lumps, or unusual changes. Our dentist in Wicker Park explains more below.

Goals of Oral Cancer Screenings

The goal of oral cancer screenings is to detect and catch any abnormalities such as lumps or lesions when they are smaller and easier to treat. The earlier the disease is detected, the better the treatment outcome will be.

Risk Factors

While there is a genetic component to developing this disease, there are some risk factors for developing oral cancer, including:

Smoking tobacco
Dipping or chewing tobacco
Drinking a lot of alcohol
Existing history of oral cancer
Excessive sun exposure to the face and lips

If you have any of these risk factors, it’s even more critical that you have a regular exam to check for early signs and symptoms. Additionally, if you notice any of the below symptoms, you should make an appointment immediately to be evaluated:

A sore, irritation, or thick patch in your mouth
A white or red patch in your mouth
Ear pain
Unexplained numbness in your mouth
Difficulty swallowing, chewing, or speaking

During The Test

Our dentist will examine your face, neck, lips, gums, cheeks, tongue, the roof of your mouth, and your throat for signs of oral cancer. They may put a finger in your mouth and a finger under your chin to feel between these tissues. If there are any abnormalities, we will advise you on what to do and refer you to your doctor for further treatment.

Contact Our Dentist in Wicker Park To Find Out More Today!

The information provided in this article is not meant to be medical advice and is for educational purposes only. If you would like to learn more about this and other topics related to dentistry, feel free to contact Dente Complete Dentistry, with a convenient dental office in Wicker Park by calling 773.295.0562 or by clicking here.

World-Class Chicago, IL, Dentist, Dr. Emilio Couret for Exceptional Dental Care

“I’ve been seeing Dr. Couret for my dental needs for years–before he began his own office even. From Day 1–he was amazing. After years with no dental insurance, I needed a lot of work done, and was insanely anxious. Dr. Couret is an expert at putting you at ease and making you feel at home. And he seems to take the time needed to ensure his staff does the same. My teeth look amazing, and you will not find a more caring, comforting team in Chicago. They take the time to not just check your teeth, but to check of any issues that might arise, including cancers that other doctors may overlook. My husband and I are in the middle of planning a long-distance move, and I can’t even begin to think about finding a new dentist. Especially one that can live up to the standard Dr. Couret and his team have set.”

Ellie B.
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Dr. Emilio Couret, our 5-star-rated Chicago, IL, dentist has transformed the smiles of over 6,000 patients. Dente Complete Dentistry offers the most advanced dental care for children and adults. Our dental care and treatment options include teeth cleanings, Invisalign, dental sealants, dental bonding, dental crowns, dentures, root canals, TMJ, anxiety-free dentistry, teeth whitening, veneers, fillings, dental bridges, dental implants, gum disease treatment and athletic mouth guards.

Call 773.292.1911 today to schedule your appointment with our Chicago, IL, dentist at our conveniently located Chicago dentist office. Come experience Dente Complete Dentistry and you will see we offer innovative and effective dental care in Chicago, Wicker Park, Lincoln Park, Bucktown & Logan Square, IL.