Oral Cancer Screening

What is oral cancer?

Oral cancer includes cancers of the lips, throat (pharynx), tongue, floor of the mouth, cheeks, sinuses, and hard and soft palate. When these cancers are identified early, treatment is usually successful; however, if not detected until it has progressed into a more serious, advanced stage, oral cancer may be life threatening. Unfortunately, many cases of oral cancer are not diagnosed until they are more serious and more difficult to successfully treat. At Peak Dental Care, we want to make certain that you stay healthy. Dr. Scott Lindsay and our team provide oral cancer screenings during your appointments at our office to ensure we detect any signs of oral cancer in Centennial, Colorado, as soon as possible.

What are the signs of oral cancer?

The following are common signs and symptoms of oral cancer:

• Lumps, bumps, rough spots, swellings, or eroded areas on the gums, lips, or other areas of the mouth
• Unexplained numbness or loss of the feeling in any part of the mouth, face, or neck
• Difficulty chewing, swallowing, speaking, or moving the tongue or jaw
• A chronic sore or hoarse throat
• A change in the way your teeth or dentures fit together
• Unexplained bleeding in the mouth
• White, red, or speckled white and red patches in the mouth
• Lasting sores that do not heal within two weeks and bleed easily

During your oral cancer screening, our dentist will check for these and other symptoms of oral cancer. If you notice any of these signs, we encourage you to contact our office as soon as possible. We are committed to helping you stay in the best possible health.