Oral Cancer Screening in Valley Village, CA

Regular screenings for oral cancer are essential for your health. Call Rite Dentist today at 818-766-7776 to schedule a screening!

Approximately 50,000 people in the US every year are diagnosed with oral cancer. Unfortunately, many do not seek help until it has progressed. Regular oral cancer screenings can catch issues early, so you have a better chance of managing them. 

Rite Dentist offers oral cancer screenings in Valley Village, CA. As a holistic dental practice, we focus on how your oral health affects all aspects of your physical and mental health. We strive to consider each patient’s personal history to tailor specific, effective treatments. 

Common Causes of Oral Cancer

About 75% of oral cancer cases are due to poor oral health and dietary habits, such as:

•     Smoking 
•     Alcohol consumption
•     Poor oral hygiene
•     Poor nutrition
•     Bacterial/viral infection (e.g., HPV)

About 80% of oral and neck cancer results from smoking cigarettes, cigars or pipes, vaping, or chewing tobacco. Other factors contributing to developing oral cancer include excessive sunlight, a weak immune system, and marijuana use. In addition, men are more likely to develop oral cancer than women, which is most common in those above 45 years old. 

Symptoms of Oral Cancer

It can be challenging to notice oral cancer on your own as the symptoms commonly appear with other, less severe conditions. Common signs that could indicate oral cancer include:

•     Mouth sores or white patches in the mouth
•     Loose teeth
•     Lump in your mouth or throat
•     Mouth and ear pain
•     Difficulty swallowing
•     Teeth alignment is off
•     Numbness in mouth or neck

Many of these symptoms present with other conditions, so it is crucial to seek regular oral cancer screenings. Routine screening can help catch symptoms before they develop. Dentists can also provide preventative oral hygiene advice to reduce the risk of developing oral cancers.

What Does an Oral Cancer Screening Involve?

An oral cancer screening in Valley Village, CA, is a simple procedure, and your dentist can perform one during a routine dental check-up. 

The dentist will first visually inspect your mouth for signs of any irregular spots such as any discoloration or abnormal surface texture or sores. Next, the dentist will inspect the interior of your mouth, gums, teeth, and soft/hard palate with gloves to detect any lumps or potential cancerous growths. They may also check your jaw and neck for any nodules or growths. 

If the dentist finds something out of the ordinary, they will take a sample of the affected tissue and send it to the lab for testing. Modern dental offices may use a unique device called a VELscope to detect cancerous cells. A VELscope uses blue light to illuminate healthy cells while leaving cancerous cells dark. 

How Often Should I Get Oral Cancer Screenings?

We recommend that adults over the age of 20 get an oral cancer screening at least once every three years. Adults over 40 should get a screening once every year. If you smoke tobacco or drink heavily, we recommend getting oral cancer screenings more frequently. 

Cancer screenings are essential for identifying and combating mouth cancer, and detecting cancer early significantly increases the likelihood of successful management and treatment. For example, the five-year survival rate for Stage 1 or Stage 2 oral cancer is between 70% and 90%. 

Holistic Dentistry and Oral Cancer

Holistic dentistry is an approach to dental health that incorporates the entire range of a patient’s physical, emotional, and mental health. In that sense, holistic dentists tailor treatments and techniques based on their patients’ life circumstances and personal medical histories. For example, a holistic dentist may search for biocompatible materials for fillings or incorporate dietary changes in dental treatment regimens. 

Given the systemic causes of cancer, your holistic dentist  will work closely with the patient and their medical provider ie. medical doctor or naturopath doctor to monitor the patient and treat the patient as needed. In addition to medical therapies, holistic dentists will focus on changing patients’ oral habits that contribute to cancer. Your daily routine, diet, and family genetics are all risk factors for cancer, and holistic dentistry uses these factors to develop customized comprehensive treatments. 

Contact a Holistic Dentist Today!

Rite Dentist is dedicated to providing holistic dental care for children and adults of all ages. In addition to cancer treatments, we offer a wide range of traditional dental procedures and treatments. Oral health affects every aspect of your body, so regular dental checkups are integral to a healthy lifestyle. 

If you would like to schedule an oral cancer screening in Valley Village, CA, contact us online or give us a call at (818) 766-7776 to schedule an appointment!