April is Oral Cancer Awareness Month, and this year, we wanted to discuss the process of getting a diagnosis. Southern Cross Dental in Colorado Springs accepts Medicaid and patients of all ages. As such, we play a crucial role in many people's health by identifying suspicious growths, and we want our patients to feel comfortable with being examined and to know when they should request assistance.
Some visible signs of potential oral cancer include bleeding and persistent, irregularly-shaped red or white spots on the soft tissues of the mouth. A tumor that is further back in the throat may cause a patient to experience ringing in their ears or to feel like there is a lump they can’t swallow. As part of an examination, we’ll do visual inspections of the tongue and the insides of the cheeks, using handheld mirrors to see areas not normally visible to patients. We may also use an ultraviolet light to check for unusual growths in the deep layers of soft tissue. Not all growths turn out to be cancerous, but that doesn’t mean we won’t treat issues associated with them.
A patient with suspicious growths may need to visit an oral surgeon for further testing. A surgeon would likely take a biopsy, which is a simple procedure in which a portion of the growth is cut away and subjected to chemical analysis. If a patient has oral cancer, we will continue to provide them with dental treatments, which will become especially important if their medication causes them to develop dry mouth and be at higher risk for tooth decay. Oral cancer is much easier to treat when it is caught early. If you’re in a high risk-group, such as older people who smoke or drink alcohol, it’s especially important for you to maintain regular dental examinations.
Drs. Navid and Faranak Rahimpour operate Southern Cross Dental at 1855 S Nevada Ave, Colorado Springs, Colorado, 80905. To schedule an appointment, call 719-471-1717 or visit Southern Cross Dental.
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