Are You Ready? Five Big Facts About Oral Health Screenings
Prepare for Oral Health Screening
We know that visiting the team at Staley Dental in Boise, Idaho, at least twice a year is part of a healthy oral health routine. Preventive dentistry visits can help find dental problems before they become huge issues. And part of those preventative dentistry visits includes oral health screenings. Oral health screenings are a time your dentist visually inspects your mouth for signs of diseases, including cancer, as well as any other dental issues, like early or late tooth eruptions, and even cavities.
Learn more about why oral health screenings are important and why your dentist makes sure to perform one every time you are in the office.
Screenings Look Beyond Teeth
Your oral health is about more than your teeth. An oral health screening allows your dentist to visually inspect your entire mouth, including your gums, tongue, cheeks, lips, and throat. Your dentist will also perform a gentle hands-on evaluation as needed. During the screening, your doctor will be looking and feeling for any abnormalities in your mouth, like bumps and lumps, which could be early indicators of disease or cancer.
The visual evaluation of your mouth also allows your dentist to check out the shape of your teeth to see how they are aligned, for example. While dental X-rays are used to find the hidden issues, the visual inspection allows your dentist to get the full picture of your oral health.
Oral Cancer Screening Is Included
A big part of an oral health screening is a screening for oral cancer. The dentists at Staley Dental are trained to spot early signs of oral cancer, which can include:
- Red or white patches on the gums
- Sores that won’t go away
- Thickening lumps that can get crusty and don’t seem to go away
- Numbness of the lips or gums
- Hoarse voice, or noticing a change in the way you speak
- Feeling that there is something caught in the throat
These are just a few signs of oral cancer. To help prevent cancer, stay away from alcohol and tobacco products.
If you notice any changes in your mouth, teeth, gums, throat, or lips, reach out to Staley Dental to schedule an evaluation.
Early Changes Are Often Painless
Often, oral health issues go undetected. This is because most dental issues don’t cause discomfort at first. The symptoms are gradual, and you may get used to them and not notice any changes. This is why oral health screenings are advised to happen regularly. You may be dealing with an oral health issue that doesn’t have any symptoms, but a health screening by Staley Dental may help you detect an issue before it becomes a major problem. Remember, prevention is the key when it comes to your oral health!
Quick and Noninvasive Process
Some people may hear the word screening and think there is a lot involved. That isn’t true. In fact, an oral health screening is done in tandem with your regular dental evaluation. While your dentist is evaluating your teeth, they will also check out your gums, lips, tongue, and throat to make sure there are no early signs of cancer or any abnormalities. Most people don’t realize the screening is happening and think it is just your dentist doing his normal dental evaluation.
Early Detection Makes a Difference
When it comes to your oral health, early detection is key. Finding any kind of dental issue early is important because you and your dentist can come up with a plan of action to deal with the issue before it becomes a major problem. If something is found during your oral health screening, your dentist will be able to talk to you right then about what your next steps should be. That could include other tests or being referred to a specialist for a second opinion.
Visit Staley Dental Today
Part of a healthy oral health routine is visiting the Boise, Idaho, office of Staley Dental at least twice a year for preventative dental checkups and professional cleanings. These visits will also include a health screening, where your dentist will check out your entire mouth, along with your teeth, to visually inspect for any abnormalities.
There is nothing additional that you need to do, and the screening is over in a matter of minutes, but it will give you the reassurance that your mouth is healthy. If you haven’t been to see us lately, give us a call to schedule your preventative dental visit today. We can’t wait to see your smile!
