Tag: oral cancer

Get an Oral Cancer Screening as Part of Your Checkup

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As part of your dental checkup, you can have an oral cancer screening. Cancer is a serious threat to your health. That is why it is important to get checked regularly.

Our dentist, Drs. Paul and Brant Stanovick in Mechanicsville, Virginia, cares about your oral health, and your overall health, which is why we have provided you this information on oral cancer screenings and why they are essential.

There have been reports that claim over 42,000 Americans alone will be diagnosed with oral or throat cancers this year. In fact, the five-year survival rate is on average 64 percent! It is also known that the earlier you can diagnose cancer, the better your chances are for overcoming it, making it essential get checked regularly. You should get screened regularly to catch it as early as possible.

Between your dental checkup times, there are signs you can watch out for that could be symptoms of oral cancer, such as:

-Patches in your mouth or throat: If you see white, red, or speckled spots inside your mouth, this could be a warning sign you have cancer.
-Inflammation: If you see any swelling in your mouth or gums, along with any lumps or bumps you can’t explain, this could be a sign of cancer.
-Throat pain: If your throat feels like something is stuck in it, or if you feel pain when breathing or swallowing, it could be a tumor living in your throat.
-Sensitivity in your gums and throat: If you are experiencing any numbness or pain and tenderness in your mouth, throat and even neck, be sure to get checked out right away for the safety of your oral health.
-Lack of movement: If you have difficulty speaking, chewing, swallowing, moving your jaw or tongue around, you could be experiencing oral cancer.

If you are experiencing any of these warning symptoms, be sure to call us for an oral cancer screening.

Our dental team is happy to provide you with high-quality care and answer any oral health questions you may have. To make an appointment at Paul R. Stanovick, DDS, please call 804-781-1919 and talk to a member of our friendly staff. Our dental team looks forward to your call

All Dental Checkups Include a Screening for Oral and Pharyngeal Cancer

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Having one of our dentists, Drs. Paul and Brant Stanovick perform a dental checkup every six months is critical for reducing your chances of suffering from cavities, gum disease, and other oral health problems. This simple appointment includes a cleaning and polishing treatment, as well as a thorough examination of your mouth.

Should they notice an existing or potential problem they can help you understand your options for treatment or remediation. If they detect the early signs of cavities or gum disease, the dentist will present you with the most effective treatment strategy.

Once they are done examining your teeth and gums they will also perform a routine screening for any early signs of oral or pharyngeal cancer. It’s important to let them know if you have a family history of oral cancers, or other increased risk factors such as regular tobacco use, or excessive alcohol consumption.

Be sure to let them know about any abnormal symptoms you have noticed in your mouth. This could include a lump in your throat, inflamed oral tissues, or a feeling like something is stuck in the back of your throat.

The oral cancer screening itself only takes a few minutes an involves our dentist examining your tongue, throat, face, and neck for any swelling or abnormal discoloration. If there are any concerns, they will likely refer you to a specialist for further diagnosis and treatment.

If you live in the Mechanicsville, Virginia, area and you are concerned about some aspect of your oral health, please call 804-781-1919 to schedule a dental checkup at the dental practice of Paul R. Stanovick, DDS.

Dental Checkups Look for Oral Cancer

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Oral cancer can be frightening to think about, but it is still important to check for regularly. If you discover cancer in your body early, the better the odds are greater at overcoming it. That is why, our team here at Paul R. Stanovick, DDS in Mechanicsville, Virginia, is happy to talk to you about oral cancer.

Oral cancer can begin in your lips, cheeks, gums, tongue, floor or roof of your mouth and even in your throat. Despite their series of possible locations, there are symptoms to watch out for such as red or white patches, pain, tenderness, sores or irritations that won’t go away, a lump, difficulty swallowing or chewing, difficulty in talking, and even a change in your dental alignment.

Did you know, during your regular dental exam every six months, your dentists, Drs. Paul and Brant Stanovick will check you for signs of oral cancer? Well, it’s true! That is one of the many vital reasons your regular dental checkup should not be skipped. If you do find something suspicious or painful, make sure to call our office right away to schedule an appointment, so we can treat it right away.

If you have any questions about oral cancer or think it may be time for you to have a dental check-up, please call us today at 804-781-1919 to set up an appointment. Our caring and professional staff is happy to assist you in any way we can to help you with your oral health.

Oral Cancer Screening: What You Should Know

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You know that it’s important for you to visit your dentist every six months if you’d like to keep your teeth healthy and strong—but do you know what actually happens during these treatments? Typically, we’ll clean your teeth thoroughly and inspect your pearly whites for signs of trouble—such as oral cancer. This cancer screening is very important, but do you know what it actually entails?

While you may think oral cancer is fairly rare, did you know that more than 50,000 Americans are diagnosed with the issues each year? Fortunately, this disease can usually be treated successfully—but the odds of a successful treatment increase greatly if the problem is identified early. One part of recognizing this problem involves asking a number of questions. We may ask you about whether you smoke or drink and how regularly you do so.

Our team will look for white or red areas in your mouth or for unusual sores. We’ll also inspect your face and tongue for unusual bumps. Afterwards, we’ll examine your mouth, neck, and jaw. While this may seem unnecessary, our team can recognize bumps and abnormalities that can’t be found by touch alone. We may also feel inside your mouth, including your cheeks, and inspect your lymph nodes, lips, and the hinges of your jaw.

If you’re interested in learning more about an oral cancer screening, please feel free to contact Paul R. Stanovick, DDS at 804-781-1919. We’ll be happy to answer any questions you have and help you schedule an appointment with our dentist, Drs. Stanovick and Stanovick. We’re excited to hear from you soon!

Keeping Ahead of COVID-19

Providing a safe environment for treatment and control for infectious disease is always a priority at Paul Stanovick DDS. Our expansive reception area and large outdoor deck provides space to easily support regulations surrounding social distancing. The treatment rooms provide an extra layer of protection as they are sanitized between each patient and provide clean air through air purifiers located in each room. You will see some changes during your next appointment as we have added precautions to protect patients and staff. You will be asked to enter the building with use of facial protection and asked to wear it until you are in the treatment room. Hand sanitizer is also available throughout the whole building for your use. You may notice that our magazine and children’s books have been removed from the reception area as they are harder to disinfect. We have installed plexiglass around our front reception area for added distancing between front staff and patients waiting for appointments. Air purifiers have been placed in every operatory with two larger purifiers in the front and back of the office. We have provided face shields, lab jackets and barrier gowns for all clinical staff. Our hours of operation will still remain Monday -Friday 8am-5pm. We are looking forward to seeing you again and are happy to answer any questions you may have about treatment and the safety precautions we are taking here at the practice. If you would like to make an appointment you can give us a call or text 804.781.1919. Thank you for your patience during these changing times and for your trust in us with taking care of your dental needs. Sincerely, Dr. Paul Stanovick, Dr. Brant Stanovick, and Staff.