Oral Cancer Screenings

Bayberry Dental Care is dedicated to catching a potential problem in the mouth before it manifests into something worse. This is why we offer oral cancer screenings to check for any precancerous or cancerous conditions in the mouth. With the advances in modern technology, dentists are now able to treat a problem prior to it becoming irreversible. 

An oral cancer screening is completed with an ultraviolet light that allows your Tinley Park dentist to view issues that cannot be detected with the naked eye. Precancerous lesions identified under this light are much easier to be removed and are more likely to be cured.

Causes of oral precancer/cancer include:

- Tobacco use of any kind, such as cigarettes, cigars, pipes, chewing tobacco, snuff, dip and vaping

- Heavy alcohol consumption

- Family history of cancer

- Human papillomavirus (HPV)

- Significant sun exposure

Are you interested in getting an oral cancer screening? For more information or to schedule an appointment, please visit bayberrydentalcare.com or call 708-802-8300. Bayberry Dental Care is located at 8014 W 171st St. in Tinley Park, IL 60477.

 

Oral Cancer Risks

Oral cancer is the largest group of cancers which fall into the head and neck category. This includes cancer of the tongue, mouth, tonsils, and throat. Mouth cancer may develop at any age, but mostly happens after the age of 40, and the risk is more than twice as high in men as it is in women. If you are a smoker or consume alcohol in moderation, or have a history of oral cancer in your family, ask Dr. Kathleen Falsey, DDS of Bayberry Dental Care about oral cancer screening.

Oral cancer typically appears as a growth or a sore in the mouth that does not go away after a matter of weeks. However, we don’t encourage you to wait weeks if you notice a red or white patch of skin that is causing you pain. The most common symptoms of oral cancer include a lump or thickening in the cheek, a sore throat or the feeling that something is caught in the throat. In our office, Dr. Falsey offers oral cancer screening to patients to cancer in its earliest stage when it is easiest to treat.

If you have questions or concerns regarding oral cancer, please give us a call. To learn about services we provide at our practice, visit www.bayberrydentalcare.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Kathleen Falsey, DDS in our Tinley Park, IL office, call Bayberry Dental Care at 708-802-8300.

Purpose of Oral Cancer Screening

Oral cancer appears as a growth or a sore in the mouth that does not go away. It can linger on the lips, tongue, cheeks, floor of the mouth, the palate, and throat and can be life threatening if not diagnosed and treated early. In addition, another danger of oral cancer is that in its early stages, it can go unnoticed. This is why Dr. Kathleen Falsey offers oral cancer screening to patients to identify mouth cancer early, when there is a greater chance for a cure.

Screening for oral cancer may be done during a routine check-up that is performed by Dr. Kathleen Falsey. The exam will include a visual inspection of the mouth and palpation of the jaw and neck. It is often completed with an ultraviolet light or similar device that allows our doctor to view issues that can’t always be detected by the human eye under normal conditions. In between visits at Bayberry Dental Care, it’s important to be aware of the following signs and symptoms such as: pain or tenderness in the oral cavity, a sore or irritation that doesn’t go away, as well as difficulty chewing, swallowing, or speaking. Be sure to call us if they do not disappear after two weeks.  

Just because Dr. Kathleen Falsey recommends oral cancer screenings to patients, this does not mean you have oral cancer. To learn more about oral cancer screening as well as other services we provide, visit www.bayberrydentalcare.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Kathleen Falsey at Bayberry Dental Care in Tinley Park, IL, call 708-802-8300.