Oral Cancer Screenings – Tulsa, OK

Signs of Oral Cancer

Oral cancer can be difficult to diagnose because early signs can easily be mistaken as the result of other problems, such as a cold. If you notice any signs at home that persist over time, it’s important to visit us immediately to make sure you’re not exhibiting early symptoms of oral cancer. At home, look out for the following:

• Mouth sores that won’t heal.
• White or red patches in your mouth.
• Difficulty swallowing and chewing.
• Numb feeling in your mouth.
• Weight loss.
• Chronic bad breath.
• Lumps in the neck or cheek.

If any of these symptoms persist, be sure to contact us to see if you need additional testing.

The Oral Cancer Screening Process

During your oral cancer screening, Dr. Hammond will be on the lookout for any abnormalities while inspecting your lips, gums, tongue, cheeks, and oral tissues. She’ll be searching for common symptoms like the ones listed above, along with ones that are harder for you to spot at home. Symptoms can impact patients with restorations like dentures a little differently, so if you notice that your prosthetic is beginning to hurt or fit poorly, be sure to discuss this with Dr. Hammond. Our goal is to spot the signs as early as possible to ensure you receive timely treatment.

VELscope Oral Cancer Screening Technology

When it comes to your regular dental checkups, tooth decay and gum disease aren’t the only ailments we’re keeping in mind. With the VELscope, we can catch the earliest signs of oral cancer, which is the sixth most common form of cancer in the world. With roughly 54,000 people being diagnosed with oral cancer in the U.S. every year, it’s the perfect device for catching the symptoms early so you can start treatment sooner. Through highly advanced, biofluorescent technology, this handheld device can make problem areas in oral tissue light up, confirming that additional tests are needed to diagnose the potential presence of oral cancer.