What is oral cancer screening?
An oral cancer screening is a valuable tool for detecting oral cancer. During your Greenpoint, Brooklyn oral cancer screening, we conduct a visual inspection of your mouth’s interior and exterior surfaces. We may also feel certain areas of your neck, under your chin, and in your mouth to check for lumps or other abnormal growths.
The process for oral cancer screening
There are no special preparations required for oral cancer screening in Greenpoint, Brooklyn. If we spot something that’s a potential sign of oral cancer, we’ll monitor the area with a follow-up appointment or conduct a biopsy to see if the spot contains cancerous cells.
During your screening, we check all the surfaces in your mouth, including your tongue, inner cheeks, tonsils, and gums. The screening also includes an examination of your outside checks, neck, thyroid, jaw, and chin area.
We suggest that all adults have a Greenpoint, Brooklyn oral cancer screening every year. If you have certain risk factors predisposing you to oral cancer, we suggest scheduling more frequent oral cancer screenings.
What we look for during an oral cancer screening
We look for signs of oral cancer during your screening, including mouth sores, white or red patches, and lumps.
How does oral cancer screening improve your oral health?
Early detection is important for diagnosing and treating oral cancer. By detecting oral cancer when it's small and in its early stages, you greatly increase your odds of successfully treating the cancer. Detecting oral cancer in its later stages decreases your chance of survival and can impact your oral health. Some types of oral cancer loosen your teeth, causing them to shift or feel painful and resulting in difficulty chewing with certain parts of your mouth; this puts extra wear and tear on some of your other teeth. Other types of oral cancer may require extensive surgical treatment that limits your ability to eat and speak.
What are the benefits of oral cancer screening?
Oral cancer screening in Greenpoint, Brooklyn has multiple benefits that make it a terrific addition to your dental care:
The screening is non-invasive
While some types of oral cancer screening use dyes or special lights to look for cancer, routine oral cancer screening is still a non-invasive way to detect cancer. There’s no recovery period, and you don’t need to make any special preparations for your screening.
Oral cancer screening is effective
Greenpoint, Brooklyn oral cancer screening can detect a majority of oral cancer cases. The screening is a fast, efficient way to spot oral cancer while it's in its early stages. This results in higher success rates for treating your oral cancer.
Regular cancer screenings can give you peace of mind
If you have risk factors for oral cancer, regular cancer screenings can give you added peace of mind that you’re doing everything you can to remain healthy.
Oral Cancer Screening
Oral cancer screening consists of an examination that searches for early signs of cancer. If we see any problematic areas, we can order additional tests to determine if these areas contain cancerous cells. Our patients receive an oral cancer screening at least once a year with their annual check-up exam.
Other related treatments.
Our preventive dental treatments are designed to maintain and improve your overall health.
Our philosophy for dentistry is simple and straightforward. We aim to provide care that is in your best interest. This means we are transparent and non judgemental, kind and empathetic. We have multiple specialists in house as we feel that this is the best way to provide comprehensive care to our patients.
Our office is relaxing and spa-like because let's face it, no one loves going to the dentist. We're trying to change that by providing a soothing environment for oral care.
Dr. Vicky Athanasiou
Founder, General Dentist
Dr. Vicky