You know regular checkups and cleanings are important, but did ever think a regular visit could save your life? Well it could! Oral cancer screenings are a part of every regular exam at Dr. Rodgers’ Dunwoody dental office. That means that for every patient we see, we’re always on the lookout for these familiar signs:
- A sore that bleeds or does not heal.
- A color change of the oral tissues.
- A lump, thickening, rough spot, crust, or small eroded area.
- Pain, tenderness, or numbness anywhere in the mouth or lips.
But more commonly, what we’re looking for is a flat, painless, white or red spot or small sore. If we find that or any of these others, we’ll take action immediately by referring you to an oral surgeon. With your oral surgeon’s help, it will be determined if what we’ve found is actually cancerous. It can also help Dr. Rodgers make a diagnosis when the disease is in its earliest stages, when treatment can be more effective.
Unfortunately, though, 70% of oral cancer diagnoses aren’t made until the disease is in its later stages, making recovery much more difficult. All of which is why, at our Dunwoody dental office, we like to emphasize regular visits. They can literally save lives!
Learn More about Oral Cancer
To learn more about oral cancer, visit the Oral Cancer Foundation’s website or call our office. Dr. Rodgers serves patients from Dunwoody, Roswell, Norcross, and beyond.
