Our oral and maxillofacial surgeon, Dr. Michael Shnayder and his team promote ongoing oral cancer awareness for our patients. We very much want to help reduce the number who might fall prey to this deadly disease, a disease which kills people every hour of every day. At Village Pointe Oral Surgery in Omaha, Nebraska we want to see our patients checking themselves every month for signs of oral cancer, as early detection is key to survivability.
What You Will Be Looking For
–White patches in the mouth
–Red patches in the mouth
–Having a hard time chewing or swallowing
–A sore that bleeds easily and isn’t healing
–Feeling a mass or lump in your neck
–An unusual lump or thickening of the oral tissues
–A sore throat, cough or hoarseness that isn’t going away
To begin your self-exam, make sure to use a bright light and a mirror and remove your dentures if you wear them. Next, look and feel the inside of your lips as well as the front of your gums. With your head tilted back you will want to check and feel the roof of your mouth. Then, pull your cheek out (one at a time) to inspect the inside of it and check the back of your gums as well. You will want to stick out your tongue and check the top and underside surfaces. And finally, you will want to feel both sides of your neck for lumps or swollen lymph nodes, and don’t forget to feel under your bottom jaw.
At Village Pointe Oral Surgery in Omaha, Nebraska, we want to help our patients have excellent oral health in all aspects. Taking the time to check for unusual signs can mean the difference between life and death even if you do not consider yourself at high risk. If you have any questions or concerns for our oral and maxillofacial surgeon, Dr. Michael Shnayder, do not hesitate to reach out to our Village Pointe Oral Surgery office in Omaha, Nebraska at 402-317-5657 today!