Lilburn, GA dentist Dr. Harry McCool performs oral cancer screening as part of a routine dental visit. Oral cancer screening can often be a life saver: patients who are diagnosed in the early stages of this disease have a much greater chance of survival. Routine preventive care with Lilburn prosthodontist Dr. McCool can enable him to notice abnormal tissue or changes within the oral cavity that may be an indicator of disease.
Oral cancer rates have been on the rise globally, largely due to the HPV virus, a common cause of oral cancer and a growing health issue in today’s world. Oral cancer can be difficult to diagnose early- without the aid of regular screening during a dental exam- because it rarely causes noticeable symptoms in the early stages of the disease.
Symptoms of oral cancer can include:
Persistent hoarseness
Pain or difficulty swallowing
Lump in the throat or neck
Persistent earache- often in both ears
Numbness in or around the mouth
Lesion or sore that does not go away
Visiting Dr. McCool twice per year is more important than ever! It not only supports long term dental health, but is an important part of overall health and well being. In addition to the benefit of an oral cancer screening, regular preventive dental care can also reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease, stroke and diabetes- all of these health issues have been shown to have connections to oral health.
Oral cancer screening is quick and painless– if you have been avoiding the dentist now is the perfect time to schedule a visit for preventive care. Dr. McCool and his staff work with patients who have dental anxiety to ensure their comfort during treatment.