Oral Cancers Specialist
K Street Dental & Orthodontic Group
Cosmetic Dentistry & Orthodontics located in Washington, DC
More than 50,000 Americans are diagnosed with different forms of oral cancer each year. At K Street Dental & Orthodontic Group in Washington, D.C., the team of skilled oral health professionals offers regular oral cancer screenings with the VELscope® Vx system and personalized follow-up. Oral cancer can be particularly dangerous since it’s often hard to catch in its early stages. Let the team at K Street Dental & Orthodontic Group handle that for you. Call the office or book your next appointment online today.
Oral Cancers Q & A
How do dentists check for oral cancer?
Oral cancer screenings are part of your regular preventive care regimen at K Street Dental & Orthodontic Group. Whenever you come in for your standard checkups, which occur at least twice annually, your dentist performs a thorough evaluation of your teeth and gums, including a check for signs of oral cancer.
K Street Dental & Orthodontic Group offers oral cancer screenings with the VELscope VX system, a portable, non-invasive device for mucosal visualization. The system also helps the early detection of viral and bacterial infections, inflammations, and other oral conditions
They’ll feel around inside your mouth and, if anything appears suspicious, they may order further lab testing, such as a biopsy. This allows the team at K Street Dental & Orthodontic Group to rule out an oral cancer diagnosis.
What are signs of oral cancer?
There are many possible signs and symptoms of oral cancer, including:
- A mouth sore that doesn’t heal
- Mouth pain that doesn’t go away
- A lump or thickening in your cheek
- White or red patches inside your mouth
- A persistent sore throat
- Painful chewing or swallowing
- Jaw swelling
- Loose teeth
- Persistent bad breath
However, it’s often difficult to detect signs of oral cancer on your own. That’s why it’s so important to come in for your regular checkups and have professional oral cancer screenings.
What causes oral cancer?
The exact cause of oral cancer isn’t always known. Your risk for developing oral cancer is what you should consider. Factors such as age increase your risk. Men and women over the age of 55 are at a slightly increased risk.
Other risk factors include:
- Exposure to ultraviolet light
- Tobacco use
- Poor nutrition
- Alcohol abuse
- Genetics
Adopting a healthy lifestyle and being diligent about your preventive oral health care services are the best ways to minimize your risk of oral cancer.
How is oral cancer treated?
The type of treatment and the likelihood of its effectiveness depend largely on early detection. Again, that’s why it’s so critical to receive your regular oral cancer screenings at K Street Dental & Orthodontic Group.
Surgery to remove the cancerous growth is the most common and least invasive treatment for oral cancer, particularly if it’s detected early on. Other treatment options include chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and targeted therapy.
If it’s time to come in for a check-up, including an oral cancer screening with the VELscope VX system, call the office today or book an appointment online at your convenience.
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