Oral cancer screening is offered at Axiom Dental Group, Aurora, CO. Velscope, an oral cancer-screening tool, is the latest in dental technology.
Oral cancer screening involves both a tactile and visual exploration of the oral soft tissue at least once every year to screen for suspicious looking areas in the mouth.
Risk factors for oral cancer:
- Tobacco (both smoking and chewing)
- Excessive alcohol consumption
- Excessive unprotected exposure to the sun
- Poor diet
- HPV (human papilloma virus) infection
- Use of betel nut and bedis
Signs and Symptoms:
- Red or white discoloration of the oral tissue
- Any sore in the mouth that does not heal within 14 days
- Hoarseness which lasts for a prolonged period of time
- A sensation that something is stuck in your throat
- Numbness in an area of your mouth
- Difficulty in moving your jaw or tongue
- Difficulty in swallowing
- Ear pain which occurs on one side only
- A lump or thickening in the mouth or neck area
Velscope helps us to visualize tissue under a special light to look for any changes happening in the tissue. On discovery of a suspicious area, we recommend following up with a biopsy and treatment if required.
Watch this video about Velscope oral cancer screening: