Have you considered the possibility that your dental checkups could save your oral health? Many people understand a dental checkup can check for cavities and gum disease, but did you know your dentist provides you with an oral cancer screening too during your checkup? Yes, it’s true! Oral cancer screenings are part of every dental checkup, which is another reason why to keep up with your six-month checkup with your dentist.



Our dentist, Dr. Moumen Almouzayn with Madison Dental Spa in Madison, Connecticut, believes in caring for your oral health and is happy to share with you some information on identifying oral cancer between dental visits.

Oral cancer will develop in thousands of Americans this year alone. In most cases, oral cancer can appear on the tongue, in the mouth, and even within the throat. Traditionally, smoking and any tobacco use are commonly linked to oral cancer. However, even those who have never used tobacco in any form can still suffer from oral cancers deadly effects.

To help you identify oral cancer between your cancer screenings, here are some signs or conditions to watch out for:

• Inflammation: Swelling can occur from within your mouth or throat.
• Bumps and Lumps: Any unexplained growths in your mouth or throat need to be treated.
• Spots or patches: White and red spots could be a mark of cancer or a severe infection.
• Bleeding: Unsolved bleeding can occur from your mouth, gums, or throat.
• Jaw Movement: Trouble with talking, chewing, or moving your jaw needs to be assessed.
• A sore throat: A tenacious sore throat could be a sign that should not be ignored.
• Change in your voice: If your voice changes as an adult or feels strained, get checked quickly.
• Ear pain: Your jawbone is near your ears, so ear pain could be an indicator of oral cancer.
• Dramatic weight loss: Dramatic weight loss is a sign of many types of cancer in the body.
• Pain in the mouth or jaw: Mysterious pain in your mouth or throat could be from a small tumor.
• Numbness: Numbness in your throat, tongue, or mouth could be a tumor striking a nerve.
• Sensitivity: An increase in sensitivity should be looked at right away.

If you have noticed any of these symptoms, remember to seek professional help and treatment as soon as possible. Our dental team is happy to give you a dental checkup and see to any oral health questions or concerns you may have. So, call us today at 203.245.5101 to make an appointment. We look forward to helping you and your smile.