Oral Cancer Screening

At Gentle Dental Fort Belvoir, our foremost priority is your long-term health and well-being. Oral cancer ranks as the sixth most common type, and it has a notably high mortality rate. Anyone can be affected by oral cancer, though risks increase for drinkers and smokers.

Common oral cancer symptoms include:

• Red or white sores or spots in the mouth.
• A sore that does not heal or bleeds easily.
• Thick, lumpy, or rough spots of irregular mouth tissue.
• Pain, tenderness, or numbness in the mouth or lips.
• Difficult chewing, swallowing, speaking or moving your jaw.

With early diagnosis and effective treatment, positive outcomes are achievable. At Gentle Dental Fort Belvoir, we recommend bi-annual dental appointments, typically covered at a low cost under most dental insurance plans.

In addition to regular dental checkups, you can take steps to prevent oral cancer. The best prevention is avoiding tobacco products. A healthy, balanced diet benefits overall health and can help prevent oral cancer. Other preventive measures include limiting UVA/UVB sun exposure.