Call the Family Dentist Buffalo Grove Trusts

This year, about 39,500 Americans will be diagnosed with oral cancer, according to the American Cancer Society. Unfortunately, some 7,500 people will die of these cancers, which appear most frequently on the tongue, the tonsils and oropharynx, the gums, floor of the mouth and other areas of the mouth. Sadly, a large number of these cases could be prevented with a regular oral cancer screening. Dr. Natalya Nagornaya at Countryside Dental in Buffalo Grove, IL, conducts these screenings in order to spot oral cancers early. Dr. Nagornaya and her staff know that this simple step can often prevent what is sometimes a deadly disease.

At Countryside Dental, we perform oral cancer screenings at every dental checkup. Although oral cancer presents more often in people over the age of 60, young people can have oral cancer, too. During your regular checkup, Dr. Nagornaya will ask you about your health history and complete a careful examination of your mouth. The exam includes a visual check of your entire mouth, as well as palpating your jaw and neck. With regularly scheduled screenings, we can more easily spot suspicious changes sooner rather than later. And as with most cancers, early detection is essential to properly treat and cure this disease.

Oral Cancer Signs and Symptoms

The signs and symptoms of oral cancer that Dr. Nagornaya and her staff look for during a professional oral cancer screening are the same ones you need to be on the lookout for in between dental checkups. Of course, if you should happen to find any of these—and they do not disappear on their own in about two weeks—then please call our office immediately.

Common oral cancer signs and symptoms include:

• A lump, sore, thick patch or rough spot on any soft tissue
• Red or white patches on your tongue or any other soft tissue
• Feeling like you have something stuck in your throat all the time
• A mouth or lip sore that bleeds readily
• Dentures that don’t fit well
• Difficulty chewing, swallowing, speaking or moving your tongue and jaw as usual
• A change in the way your bite fits together
• A sore throat that won’t go away
• The feeling of an earache, without any sign of infection

Call the Family Dentist of Buffalo Grove, IL

If you happen to see any of these signs in your mouth—or if you see any on someone you love—then please call Countryside Dental in Buffalo Grove, IL, to schedule a visit. We welcome patients from Long Grove, Vernon Hills, Lincolnshire, Hawthorn Woods, and beyond.