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        • Invisalign at Parkcrest
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    • Meet Dr. Ropka
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The Importance of Oral Cancer Screenings

  • April 19, 2020
  • 8:26 am
  • Dental Education
  • oral cancer screenings, Parkcrest Dental Group

Regular checkups with your dentist help more than just developing a beautiful smile. Your dentist will also take the opportunity to examine your cheeks, gums, and lips for signs of oral cancer. For people who have a higher chance of getting oral cancer, regular checkups and screenings are crucial. At Parkcrest Dental Group, we take your total oral health into account. Learn why you should schedule an oral cancer screening or dental appointment at least twice a year. 

Related Post: April is Oral Cancer Awareness Month

Patients Who Are at a Higher Risk of Oral Cancer

There are a number of reasons that you may be at a greater risk of having oral cancer. If any of the following traits or habits apply to you, we strongly recommend you schedule regular oral cancer screenings:

  • If you smoke, chew, vape, or use any type of tobacco product 
  • If you regularly drink alcohol
  • If you or your family have had cancer in the past, or have a history of cancer
  • If you spend a lot of time outdoors in the sun
  • If you have been diagnosed with human papillomavirus (HPV) 
  • If you have a diet low in fruits and vegetables
  • If you have another condition that weakens your immune system 

If you think you may be at higher risk of oral cancer, or any of the above factors apply to you, bring up your concerns with your dentist. We can recommend regular screening tests and lifestyle factors you can adopt to decrease your risk of oral cancer.

Related Post: What Does Vaping Do to Your Dental Health? 

What Takes Place in an Oral Cancer Screening?

Generally, your dentist will simply examine your mouth, under your tongue, and the areas around your neck and chin for lumps, spots, or anything that appears unusual. You may not even realize that your dentist is checking for signs of oral cancer. Most of the time, this process is simply done as part of your regular dental checkup. If you notice anything out of the ordinary, like lumps or spots in or around your mouth, contact your dentist to request they examine it. 

Keep in mind, however, not every lump is a sign of cancer. Oftentimes, regular swelling or sores can form in your mouth that are completely benign. You should still schedule an examination, but there is no reason to panic just because you have found something in your mouth out of the ordinary.

Schedule Your Next Appointment at Parkcrest Dental Group

If it has been more than six months since your last dental checkup, consider visiting the team at Parkcrest Dental Group. We would be more than happy to give you a thorough and expert dental examination. Schedule your next appointment online, or give our team a call at 1-417-877-1220 today. 

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Meet Some of Our Springfield, Missouri, Dentists

Some of the doctors at Parkcrest Dental Group

Dr. Stuart Scott (top left) is our pediatric dentist. He earned his degree from the University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Dentistry before completing a two-year residency at the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio.

Dr. Steven Harrison (top center) is board-certified by the American Board of Orthodontics. Dr. Harrison, our orthodontist, graduated from the University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Dentistry. He’s been with Parkcrest Dental Group since 1986.

Dr. Chanin Ropka (top right) attended UMKC before joining the United States Navy, where she served as the only dentist on board the USS Germantown and at Balboa Naval Hospital in San Diego. Dr. Ropka began at Parkcrest Dental in 2001.

Dr. Daniel Fannin (bottom left) graduated from UMKC School of Dentistry in 1997. He completed an Advanced Education in General Dentistry Residency in 1998 before joining Parkcrest Dental Group that same year.

Dr. Steven C. Sponenberg (bottom center) has been a Springfieldian his entire life. He graduated from Creighton University School of Dentistry in Omaha, Nebraska, in 2004 before joining Parkcrest Dental Group immediately after.

Dr. Jason Hall (bottom right) is also a native Springfieldian. He earned his DDS from the University of Missouri at Kansas City Dental School in 1997. He came to Parkcrest Dental Group in 2010. Dr. Hall’s father, Stan, is also a dentist.

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