Dental Cleaning Specialist

What are the benefits of routine dental cleanings?

Routine dental cleanings are important for ensuring your teeth stay white, bright, and free of debris that can cause cavities and early tooth decay. Unless you have existing oral health issues, you should schedule cleanings every six months. If you have dental disease, Dr. Schraner may recommend cleanings more often.

During your professional, in-office cleaning, Dr. Schraner and her staff can remove the hardened plaque and bacteria from in between your teeth and below your gumline that you can’t reach when brushing at home.

Routine dental cleanings are also important for oral health screenings. During your visit, Dr. Schraner takes the time to check for signs of periodontal disease and oropharyngeal cancer.

What is oropharyngeal cancer?

Oropharyngeal cancer, or oral cancer, is a condition that develops when abnormal cells grow in your oral cavity and become cancerous. As part of a routine oral cancer screening, Dr. Schraner evaluates your oral health, checking for cancerous growths in areas like your:

• Lips
• Tongue
• Cheeks
• Sinuses
• Throat
• Roof and floor of the mouth

While anyone can develop oral cancer, you may be at increased risk if you smoke or have existing health conditions, like human papillomavirus (HPV). You may also be at risk for oral cancer if you don’t properly protect your lips from the ultraviolet (UV) rays of the sun.

What are the symptoms of oral cancer?

During your routine cleaning, Dr. Schraner assesses your oral health, checking for signs of cancer such as:

• Facial or mouth sores
• Unexplained bleeding
• Velvet-like white or red skin patches
• Bumps on your gums, lips, and inside of your mouth

Dr. Schraner also evaluates how well you can move your tongue and jaw and if you have any issues with swallowing, chewing, or speaking due to growths or skin changes in your mouth.

What happens if I have symptoms of oral cancer?

If Dr. Schraner identifies any abnormal growths she may refer you for a biopsy, which involves removing the entire growth or a small sample of the skin for further analysis.

Any growth that’s found to be cancerous needs surgical removal. You may also need chemotherapy or radiation to eliminate any remaining cancerous cells.

While untreated oral cancer can become life-threatening, early detection of abnormal cells can ensure you get treatment quickly and recover successfully. For this reason, routine oral cancer screenings and dental cleanings are important for ensuring good oral health.

Call or use online booking to schedule your dental cleaning and oral cancer screening at Yonkers Dental Arts today.