Oral Cancer Screening in Silver Spring, MD

At De Lucs Dental, LLC, we are concerned about your smile and committed to your overall well-being. As part of our all-inclusive approach towards dental care, we provide an oral cancer screening during your regular dental exams. Oral cancer can be fatal if not identified and treated early.

We have the required experience and skills to identify early signs and symptoms of oral cancer and precancerous conditions. While other, less severe problems may cause these symptoms, it is very vital to visit our office to rule out the chances of oral cancer.

Symptoms of Oral Cancer

Oral cancer can affect your oral cavity's soft and hard tissues, and typical symptoms of oral cancer include:

• Persistent mouth sores that do not heal 
• Mouth sores that bleed easily
• Difficulty speaking, chewing or swallowing 
• White or red lesions inside your mouth
• Pain, tenderness, or numbness in the mouth
• Thickening skin inside the mouth
• Jaw pain
• Chronic hoarseness or sore throat
• Feelings of a lump in the throat

It is vital to remember that some patients may dismiss lesions for a canker sore or another benign health concern, which is why it is so essential to undergo regular screenings. 

How to Prevent Oral Cancer?

• Avoid all tobacco products
• Drink alcohol in moderation.
• Maintain a healthy, balanced diet.
• Limit your exposure to the sun
• Wear ultra-violet sun-protective lotions on your skin as well as your lips
• Regular dental exams

What Is the Process of Oral Cancer Screening?

During your regular dental exams, Dr. Gary Lucombe will perform visual examinations of your teeth, gums, throat, neck, head, and oral tissues to look for any areas of concern. This is a painless process to screen for any signs of cancerous or precancerous cells.

In addition, we will look for any presence of sores, lumps, or rough patches in your mouth. Dr. Gary Lucombe will also explain the risks associated with various lifestyle factors that can increase your possibilities of developing oral cancer, such as smoking, HVP, and drinking alcohol in excess.

If we identify any signs of precancerous lesions, the following might be recommended. 

• Schedule a dental visit after a few weeks to check whether the abnormality is still present or if it has grown or changed.
• A biopsy is done to get a sample of the cells in the abnormal area for laboratory testing to establish cancerous cells.

We conduct oral cancer screenings during your regular dental exams.  Visit our office, De Lucs Dental, LLC, at 8630 Fenton Street, Suite 204, Silver Spring, MD 20910. You can also reach Dentist in Silver Spring, MD at 301-587-8081 | 301-587-8082.