Your routine dental visit could reveal something your mirror never will. At Dentistry On Main Street in New Port Richey, our comprehensive oral cancer screenings take just minutes but provide invaluable peace of mind. These painless examinations are an essential part of protecting your overall health, not just your smile.
Many patients don’t realize their dentist plays a crucial role in early detection. During your regular checkups, our experienced New Port Richey dentist examines areas of your mouth you can’t see yourself, looking for subtle changes that might otherwise go unnoticed. Using advanced screening technology and thorough examination techniques, we identify concerning areas when treatment options are most effective and least invasive. It’s one more way we’re committed to caring for you beyond just your teeth.
Oral cancer affects thousands of Americans annually, with early detection being crucial for successful treatment outcomes. When caught in its earliest stages, the five-year survival rate for oral cancer increases significantly. Unfortunately, many cases go undetected until they’ve advanced to more serious stages, which is why regular screenings at your New Port Richey dental home are essential for protecting your health.
The screening process at Dentistry On Main Street is quick, non-invasive, and easily incorporated into your routine dental checkups. Our dental professionals conduct a thorough examination of all oral tissues, looking for red or white patches, persistent sores, or other abnormalities that might indicate potential issues requiring further investigation.
At our New Port Richey practice, we employ cutting-edge technology like VELscope to enhance our screening capabilities. This innovative device uses specialized light to reveal abnormal tissues that might not be visible during a standard visual examination. The VELscope technology allows our dental professionals to detect potential issues earlier than ever before, without any discomfort to you.
The entire screening procedure typically takes just a few minutes but provides invaluable insights into your oral health. We can immediately discuss any findings and recommend appropriate next steps if needed, giving you peace of mind and prompt care.
Understanding your personal risk profile is an important aspect of oral cancer prevention. Several factors can increase your likelihood of developing oral cancer, making regular screenings even more crucial.
Tobacco use in any form—cigarettes, cigars, pipes, or smokeless tobacco—significantly increases the risk of oral cancer. Similarly, excessive alcohol consumption, especially when combined with tobacco use, creates an elevated risk. The human papillomavirus (HPV), particularly strain 16, has also been linked to increasing cases of oral cancer, especially in younger patients.
Other risk factors include prolonged sun exposure, which can affect the lips, a family history of cancer, and poor nutrition. Our dental professionals in New Port Richey can help assess your personal risk factors and recommend an appropriate screening schedule.
Between professional screenings, it’s important to be aware of potential warning signs of oral cancer. Our dental team educates patients about what changes might warrant concern and prompt evaluation.
Persistent mouth sores that don’t heal within two weeks should be evaluated. Unexplained bleeding in the mouth, difficulty swallowing or chewing, persistent sore throat, or feeling that something is stuck in your throat can also be warning signs. Additional symptoms include numbness in the mouth region, ear pain without hearing loss, and dramatic weight loss.
If you notice any of these symptoms, don’t wait for your next scheduled appointment. Contact our New Port Richey office promptly for an evaluation, as early detection remains your best defense.
When you visit our dental practice in Pasco County for an oral cancer screening, you can expect a thorough yet comfortable experience. Our trained professionals begin with a comprehensive visual examination of your entire oral cavity, including your lips, cheeks, gums, tongue, palate, and throat.
We carefully check for any abnormalities like asymmetry, discoloration, swelling, or ulcerations. We may gently palpate your jaw and neck to check for unusual lumps or enlarged lymph nodes. This hands-on examination is painless yet extremely informative for identifying potential areas of concern.
For patients with suspicious findings or those at higher risk, we may recommend additional diagnostic procedures. Digital imaging provides detailed views of oral tissues that help us evaluate any concerning areas more thoroughly. Our New Port Richey office is equipped with state-of-the-art technology to ensure accurate assessments.
In some cases, we might recommend a biopsy of suspicious tissue for definitive diagnosis. While finding an abnormality doesn’t automatically mean cancer is present, thorough investigation ensures nothing is overlooked. Our dental professionals will clearly explain any findings and work with you to determine appropriate next steps.
Your health is too important to leave to chance. Regular oral cancer screenings at Dentistry On Main Street provide peace of mind and potentially life-saving early detection. As part of our comprehensive approach to dental care in New Port Richey, we recommend annual screenings for most patients and more frequent evaluations for those with higher risk factors.
Contact our friendly team today at Dentistry On Main Street to schedule your comprehensive oral cancer screening. Your proactive approach to health today can make all the difference for your tomorrow. Call us at (727) 842-6052 or complete our contact form to book your appointment and take this important step toward protecting your overall health and well-being.
Monday: 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Tuesday: 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Wednesday: 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Thursday: 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Friday: 8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Saturday-Sunday: Closed
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