Every visit to Parkway Dental includes an oral cancer screening exam. However, you are the most important person in an early diagnosis. You should look for any sores or lesions in your mouth that do not heal within two weeks. If you notice these, contact us at 919-380-9622 as soon as possible to make your appointment with Dr. Stephen Coker.

Symptoms to Watch For:

• A lump or thickening in the cheek
• A white or red patch on the gums, tongue, tonsils, or lining of the mouth
• A sore throat or a feeling that something is caught in the throat
• Difficulty chewing or swallowing
• Difficulty moving the jaw or tongue
• Numbness of the tongue or other area of the mouth
• Swelling of the jaw that causes dentures to fit poorly or become uncomfortable

These symptoms may be caused by other, less serious problems, but they also indicate the possible presence of oral cancer. After the physical examination of your mouth, if we find any areas that are suspicious, we may recommend a biopsy. In this procedure, we simply take a small portion of the suspicious tissue and send it to an oral pathologist for examination under a microscope. Depending on the type of tissue and the location in your mouth, there are several different types of biopsies we may perform.

To learn more about oral cancer screening and biopsies in Cary, North Carolina, and to schedule your next appointment with our skilled dentist, please contact our office today.