Oral Cancer Screening in Reno

Taking care of your oral health is about more than cavities and gingivitis. At every dental checkup with our Reno dentists, you can expect that we take preventive dentistry seriously. Not only will our dentists, Dr. Wager and Dr. Evans scour your mouth for signs of tooth decay and gum disease, but also symptoms of a much deadlier oral health condition, oral cancer.

Checking for Signs of Oral Cancer

During your oral cancer screening, our Reno dentist will be looking for signs like lumps in your throat, unusual lesions that appear white or splotchy, persistent ulcers, and other suspicious symptoms. Since oral cancer affects your appetite, tell Dr. Wager or Dr. Evans if you have experienced unexplained dramatic weight loss. You should also mention any changes in the way your teeth fit together, or changes in your voice.

Risk Factors of Mouth Cancer

With these risk factors for oral cancer, tell our Reno dentist if you smoke, use smokeless tobacco, drink large quantities of alcohol, use tanning beds, or have excessive sun exposure. Other risk factors include your age—patients over 40 are more likely to have mouth cancer—and if you have a family history of oral cancer.

Oral Cancer Screenings Save Lives

The best step you can take for your oral health and your total wellbeing is to schedule regular dental checkups for oral cancer screenings. With about 8,000 mouth cancer fatalities predicted by the Oral Cancer Foundation for this year alone, it is not worth the risk. With early detection and treatment of oral cancer, patients have an increased chance at a good prognosis.

Preventive Dentistry in Reno

Stay tuned to next week’s blog for more information about gum disease prevention from your Reno dentists. For more information about preventive dentistry, contact our Reno dental office at 775-829-7700. We serve patients from Sparks, Sun Valley, Cold Springs, Spanish Springs, Golden Valley, Lawton, Mogul, and the surrounding Reno communities.

About The Author

Dr. Brian Evans

Dr. Brian Evans, the current owner of Wager Evans Dental, initially worked as a CPA before transitioning to dentistry to make a greater impact on people's lives. He joined his father-in-law to expand a three-decade-long legacy in the northern Nevada community, eventually taking over the practice. Dr. Evans prioritizes a comfortable environment for his patients and stays at the forefront of dental technology and medical techniques through continuous education and advanced training, focusing on oral and systemic health.

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