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Jul
You Asked, We Answered: 5 Commonly Asked Questions About Oral Cancer
Oral cancer kills at least one American every hour! Although life-threatening, mouth cancer can be stopped in its tracks with regular screenings in Alexandria, Virginia. The Bell Dental Group’s routine dental check-up includes a swift, painless oral cancer screening. Oral cancer exams are quick and non-invasive but can potentially save a life.
1. What are the symptoms of oral cancer?
Oral cancer often develops silently, showing little to no symptoms until it reaches an advanced stage. Routine dental exams are important — they allow your dentist to spot early warning signs before the disease progresses. Still, staying alert to potential red flags at home is key to catching oral cancer as early as possible.
Warning signs of mouth cancer include.
- A mouth sore that doesn’t heal within two weeks
- White or red patches in your mouth
- Unexplained numbness or pain in the mouth
- Feeling like something is stuck in the throat
- Voice changes
- Changes in how your dentures fit
- Unexplained weight loss
- Abnormal swellings or lumps in the mouth
If you experience any of these signs, schedule an oral cancer exam in Alexandria, Virginia. It’s better to be safe than sorry.
2. Why is early cancer detection important?
Early cancer detection is crucial because it increases the chances of successful treatment. When cancer is found early, it’s often smaller and hasn’t spread, making it easier to treat with less invasive methods. Early detection also helps preserve quality of life and reduces treatment costs. In short, catching cancer early can save lives—and money.
3. What happens during oral cancer screening?
First, we perform a dental exam as usual. Then, the dentist visually examines your mouth for unusual patches, sores, lesions, and other irregularities. The dentist checks all your oral tissues, especially under the tongue, inner cheeks, mouth palate, gums, etc. Sometimes, we can use an intraoral camera to check those tricky areas that are unclear to the naked eye. After a visual exam, the dentist uses gloved hands to feel unusual bumps, swellings, or masses.
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4. What if I have a suspicious lesion—what now?
If we detect any unusual symptoms, we’ll schedule a future test to determine whether the abnormal sign has gone away, remained constant, or increased. Remember, our screenings don’t diagnose oral cancer. A biopsy is the definitive test for oral cancer. It involves testing a sample of your suspect tissue to determine if it’s cancerous or not. Keep in mind that many tests come out negative, but it’s important to have it done so we can detect an issue early on if it’s there.
5. How often should I be screened for oral cancer?
Anyone is at risk of oral cancer. However, tobacco, heavy alcohol use, poor genetics, age, and a family history of cancer can increase its risk. Recently, oral cancer cases have been on the rise among young people because of exposure to HPV (Human Papillomavirus).
Because oral cancer doesn’t discriminate, no one should skip regular screenings. We recommend annual cancer screenings for everyone. However, if you smoke or have other predispositions to mouth cancer, we recommend check-ups every six months.
Oral cancer screening near me in Alexandria, VA
Many mouth cancers are diagnosed late because many people skip routine screenings. If it’s been over 12 months since your last mouth cancer exam, it’s never too late to put your smile on a healthy track. Call (703) 783-4557 and schedule an oral cancer exam with The Bell Dental Group.
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Dr. Alonzo M. Bell, DDS – The Bell Dental Group
Dr. Alonzo M. Bell, DDS, brings over 30 years of dedicated dental care to his patients in Washington, DC, and Alexandria, Virginia. A graduate of Northwestern University Dental School, he specializes in general and cosmetic dentistry. Dr. Bell’s commitment to excellence is evident through his extensive continuing education and leadership roles, including serving as President of the Virginia Dental Association. His active involvement with the American Dental Association and Northern Virginia Dental Society and community service projects highlights his trustworthiness and compassion. Patients appreciate his attention to detail and inclusive, patient-focused approach.
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