Oral Cancer Screening in North Vancouver, BC

Regular dental checkups are not just beneficial to your smile. They are also essential for oral cancer screening.

 

Dental Crowns and Bridges | Peak Dental Arts

What is oral cancer screening?

Oral cancer screening is an exam where your dentist looks for signs of cancer or precancerous conditions in the mouth. During the exam, your North Vancouver dentist will check all areas of your mouth and your throat. If you wear dentures, your dentist will take them out to check the tissue beneath them. The dentist will also check for abnormalities in the face and the lymph nodes in the neck.

Who should go for oral cancer screening?

Everyone can benefit from oral cancer screening, but people at a high risk of oral cancer have more to gain.

Oral cancer risk factors include:

  • Tobacco use
  • Alcohol consumption
  • History of oral cancer
  • Excessive sun exposure, which increases the risk of lip cancer
  • Oral sex, which can transmit some types of cancer-causing HPV

What happens if there are signs of oral cancer?

Your dentist will not be able to diagnose oral cancer during a dental exam. They can only look for abnormalities that may indicate the need for testing.

If your dentist notices lumps, lesions, or anything else out of the ordinary, they will likely recommend a biopsy. A biopsy is a procedure in which a small piece of tissue is taken from the troublesome area then sent to a lab to test for cancerous cells. Your dentist may perform the biopsy or refer you to a doctor who can.

If the biopsy reveals cancerous or precancerous conditions, your dentist may refer you to an oral oncologist who will develop a treatment plan that is right for you.

Are you interested in oral cancer screening in North Vancouver?

If you have questions about oral cancer or would like to schedule an appointment for oral cancer screening in North Vancouver, contact us at Peak Dental Arts.

At Peak Dental Arts, we offer comprehensive and quality dental care to help you maintain optimal oral health.

Give us a call today or book an appointment online.

About Our Clinics

At Peak Dental Arts, we provide dental care in North and West Vancouver area. Our goal is to provide patients with exceptional dentistry in a calm, educational and professional environment. We strive to deliver comprehensive dental care, looking at the mouth as a whole in order to give our patient’s teeth the best chance for lasting a lifetime.

To facilitate this, we create long-term strategies that involve the patient’s personal goals. We listen carefully to each patient’s dental concerns and include the patient in the treatment planning process. Creating an inclusive treatment plan and providing engaging patient education is a top priority at Peak Dental Arts.

We recognize our role in the community as both a responsibility and a privilege and we look forward to serving you soon.

Tour Your Mouth.

We offer complimentary patient photography,
to monitor issues over time such as
tooth wear, gum recession, tooth position, and more!
New Patients Welcome