Faith Cousins DDS
General Dentistry located in Silver Spring, MDEvery year, more than 50 million Americans receive an oral cancer diagnosis. At Faith Cousins, DDS, in Silver Spring, Maryland, the team proudly offers state-of-the-art VELscope® oral cancer screening to detect potential problems early on. If you’re concerned about your risk of oral cancer, preventive screening can provide you with peace of mind. Request your consultation today by calling the office or clicking the online booking tool.
VELscope® Oral Cancer Screening Q & A
What is oral cancer?
Oral cancer is any cancer that affects your lips, tongue, the floor of the mouth, cheeks, throat, sinuses, and hard or soft palate. Thanks to modern treatment techniques, oral cancers caught early have a good prognosis. Unfortunately, most cases of oral cancer aren’t detected until they’ve already spread to other areas of the body.
At Faith Cousins, DDS, the team works to detect and treat oral cancer and other abnormalities at the earliest possible stage. At each appointment, the team performs a cleaning and exam and also provides VELscope oral cancer screening.
What are the symptoms of oral cancer?
Oral cancer doesn’t always present obvious symptoms in its early stages. However, as the disease progresses, telltale signs include:
- Persistent sore throat
- Unexplained bleeding
- Ear pain
- Numbness or loss of feeling in the mouth or throat
- Difficulty chewing, speaking, or swallowing
- Loose or dislodged teeth
You might also notice lumps, bumps, or rough spots on your gums or lips.
Will I know if I have oral cancer?
The only way to determine if you have oral cancer is to schedule an appointment with trusted oral health professionals like the team at Faith Cousins, DDS. Following an oral exam, review of your medical history, and VELscope oral cancer screening, the team can make a diagnosis and recommendations for treatment.
What is VELscope oral cancer screening?
VELscope oral cancer screening is a cutting-edge preventive measure that uses a wireless, handheld intraoral camera to enhance your natural tissue fluorescence. This technology allows your dentist to detect and pinpoint precancerous and cancerous abnormalities that aren’t always visible to the naked eye.
Since its invention in 2009, dentists all over the world have used VELscope oral cancer screening to perform more than 25 million preventive screenings.
How long does VELscope oral cancer screening take?
VELscope oral cancer screening is quick and hassle-free. Each exam takes about two minutes and uses no rinses or dyes. Plus, the process is entirely pain-free. Before your screening, your dentist walks you through the entire process and answers any questions you may have.
Preventive screenings can help you detect oral cancer before it becomes a more serious problem. Make an appointment for a VELscope oral cancer screening today by calling the office of Faith Cousins, DDS, or clicking the online booking tool.