One of the most important objectives our Elmhurst dentists have is to help patients proactively identify and treat cancerous and pre-cancerous tissues. That is why we have put together this informative article about key signs and symptoms of oral cancers. It’s time to reach out to your dental team if you notice…
Disrupted Healing
One indicator that you need to schedule an oral cancer screening with your dental team is a persistent sore or oral injury that never seems to heal. While all of our immune systems are different, and so healing times vary from patient to patient, you should be seeing an improvement in damaged tissue within a couple of weeks.
Changes in Color or Texture
In some cases, patients are actually able to see visible changes to cancerous or pre-cancerous tissues: especially changes in color and texture. You may find that problematic tissues look especially red or white, in comparison to surrounding soft tissues. They may also be irregularly textured, with jagged or uneven edges.
Discomfort & Unusual Sensations
We encourage all of our patients to talk to their dentists any time they experience discomfort or chronic head/neck/mouth pain. However, it’s equally important that you alert your dental team if parts of your smile feel numb or tingly, as these, too, can be indicative of irregular tissue development.
If you experience any of these dental issues, our Elmhurst dentists are here to provide you with the care and support that you need. Please feel free to reach out to our team to get additional information, and to schedule a personal consult in our office.