VELscope® Oral Cancer Screening in Smyrna, TN

Oral cancer is a matter that we take seriously at Next Level Dental. As part of your normal cleaning and exam every six months, Dr. Coley Ramsey or one of our hygienists will perform a VELscope® oral cancer screening. This simple, quick test requires just two minutes of your time and can provide us with the information we need to keep you safe and sound. The VELscope helps us detect oral cancer in its earliest stages when it is most easily treated. For more information on VELscope screenings for oral cancer in Smyrna, Tennessee, please contact our dentist and team at 615-459-6354 soon.

Oral cancer includes cancers of the lips, tongue, floor of the mouth, cheeks, throat (pharynx), sinuses, and hard and soft palate. While oral cancer can usually be successfully treated when detected early, most cases of oral cancer are not detected until they have progressed into a more serious, advanced stage that is much more difficult to treat. In fact, oral cancer may be life-threatening. At our office, we are dedicated to doing all we can to detect and treat oral cancers and other abnormalities at the earliest possible stage. During your routine dental cleanings and exams at our office, our dentist and team will perform an oral cancer screening to check for the signs of oral cancer.

The following are common symptoms of oral cancer:

• A persistent sore throat or feeling that something is caught at the back of the throat
• Unexplained bleeding in the mouth
• A persistent or lasting sore on the face, neck, or mouth that bleeds easily and does not heal within two weeks
• Unexplained loss of feeling, pain, or numbness in the face, neck, or mouth
• Ear pain
• Lumps, bumps, or rough spots on the gums, lips, or other parts of the mouth
• Red, white, or speckled red-and-white patches in the mouth
• Difficulty chewing, speaking, or swallowing
• A change in the way your teeth or dentures fit together

While our team will perform a screening for oral cancer to check for these and other symptoms, we encourage you to contact us if you notice any of these problems or if you experience any other type of dental pain. We are committed to helping you stay in good health.