Morgan Nordstrom, D.D.S.

William C. Vizzolini, D.D.S., INC

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Morgan Nordstrom, D.D.S. > Services > Oral Cancer Screening

We offer oral cancer screenings as a part of your regular dental exam. Our dentists will look for the earliest signs or symptoms.

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Oral Cancer Screening in Vallejo, CA

Couple at Vallejo Family Dentist Oral cancer is a type of cancer found in or around your mouth, in the back of your throat, or on your lips or tongue. It affects about 43,000 new people each year, and the prevalence is growing both in America and worldwide.

Oral cancer is a particularly dangerous form of cancer with only about half of the people treated surviving over five years. The treatment for oral cancer typically combines the skills of surgeons, radiation oncologists, chemotherapy oncologists, dentists, and counselors.

Treatment for oral cancer can cause disfigurement because of the necessity to remove the margins of the cancerous tissue. Oftentimes, by the time that oral cancer is diagnosed and treated, it is already in its later stages.

More than 50% of Americans do not go to the dentist every six months, as recommended. This is particularly dangerous because your dentist is the one who is most likely to find a suspicious lesion and request a biopsy since they look in your mouth regularly at your routine exams.

Why Is Early Diagnosis of Oral Cancer So Important?

Oral cancer is the silent killer of many Americans because it usually remains undetected until it reaches further stages. Here's why early detection can save your life.

Better Prognosis

The earlier we can spot oral cancer, the better your prognosis for a successful treatment.

Less Invasive

Early detection of oral cancer may mean less invasive and more comfortable treatment procedures.

Minimizes Spreading

Spotting oral cancer early keeps it from spreading and becoming a more critical condition.

Frequently Asked Questions

How often do I need a check up?

Even if you don’t have dental insurance, you should come to the dentist at least every 6 months for a professional cleaning and routine exam. This ensures that we detect any dental disease you have (gum disease or cavities) in its early stages. Depending on your personal oral health, we may recommend you come more frequently. For example, some patients benefit from more frequent hygiene appointments, especially if they suffer from periodontal disease or have a tendency toward decay.

Small dental problems that are relatively easy to treat inexpensively and painlessly when they are caught early but often require additional procedures if not addressed right away. That can mean more expense and more time in the dental chair.

What We Can Discover During a Regular Check Up

Did you know that cavities never go away on their own and tend to progress becoming larger over time? Other conditions, such as cracked teeth, could result in tooth loss if not treated in the early stages. Taking a “wait and see” approach can cause bigger problems.

We also look for lumps, lesions, and cysts that can indicate serious conditions like oral cancer. Often your dentist is the first to notice these pre-cancerous lesions and can recommend a biopsy and life-saving treatment.

The best dental insurance is a regular check up!

Can bad oral hygiene cause cancer?

According to research, poor oral hygiene and habits can increase your risk of developing major oral health diseases, including cancer.

For example, smoking and using tobacco products (especially chewing tobacco) can lead to lip, cheek, and tongue cancer. Good oral hygiene helps significantly reduce the risk of getting oral cancer, which means it’s crucial to your oral and overall health to brush and floss daily, get routine dental checkups, and eat a nutritious diet. Other ways to reduce your risk of developing oral cancer include:

Stop smoking or using chewing tobacco.
Limit alcohol use.
Eat healthy, well-balanced foods like smile-healthy fruits and vegetables.
Use sunscreen or UV-protective gear while in the sun.

Routine Dental Care Prevents Oral Diseases and Cancers

Routine dental exams and cleanings help prevent oral diseases like tooth decay, gum disease, and oral cancers. During every routine exam, our dentists check for signs of oral cancer.

We also help patients learn how to best care for their smiles and dental health at home. Having routine oral cancer screenings allows us to identify abnormalities and catch oral cancers in the early stages, thus improving the chances of effective treatment.

Please give us a call today to schedule your routine exam and oral cancer screening.

Symptoms of Oral Cancer

Often, oral cancer has no outwardly detectable symptoms and only subtle visual symptoms. The two most common presentations of oral cancer are white or red lesions in the soft tissue of your mouth. Other symptoms include lumps, bumps, cracks, or ulcers in and around your mouth. Oral cancer can also affect your jaw and cause swelling or trouble opening and closing your mouth. It can also affect your vocal chords, causing hoarseness or other changes in your voice.

Risk Factors of Oral Cancer

Certain behaviors dramatically increase your risk or oral cancer. Consuming alcohol and smoking cigarettes are two of the biggest risk factors for oral cancer. Other risk factors include a genetic predisposition or the presence of the human papillomavirus (HPV).

Exposure to the sun can cause oral cancer on your lips, and your overall risk increases with age.

If you do not eat your fruits and vegetables, you may also increase your risk of oral cancer. A healthy diet and lifestyle is important in the prevention of many types of cancer.

Meet Our Doctor:

Dr. Morgan Nordstrom DDS

Morgan Nordstrom DDS attended the University of California Berkeley and graduated with honors with a BS degree in Nutritional Science with an emphasis in Toxicology. She received her DDS from the University of the Pacific School of Dentistry where she graduated second in her class.

Originally from Northern California (Grass Valley), Dr. Nordstrom lives in Cordelia with her husband and young daughter. She is a 49ers fan and enjoys hiking, traveling, and crossfit!

Dental Education

Dr. Nordstrom completed a general practice residency at Mare Island in Vallejo, CA where she received special training ...

Oral Cancer Screenings in Vallejo

Patient undergoing oral cancer screening in Vallejo CA

When you are a patient at our Vallejo dental office, Dr. Morgan Nordstrom and Dr. Emily Thai perform an oral cancer screening as part of your regular dental exam, looking for the earliest signs and symptoms of oral cancer.

If something looks suspicious, we can request a biopsy. Early diagnosis increases your chances of survival for all types of cancer.

Your dentist knows the first signs of oral cancer. Going to your routine exam and professional cleaning at least every six months supports your health in numerous ways, including the prevention of periodontal disease or decay and identifying any cracks or other problems with your teeth.

Schedule Your Next Routine Exam at Our Vallejo Office

Are you due for your professional dental exam and cleaning? Give us a call and one of our helpful and friendly dental professionals will assist you in finding a time that works well for you. Your routine exams are the foundation of your oral health.

Featured Blog Posts - Oral Cancer Screening

May 30, 2022

The Benefits of Regular Oral Cancer Screenings

At Morgan Nordstrom, DDS and William C. Vizzolini, DDS we emphasize prevention and early detection of all oral health issues, including oral cancer. For the latter, we provide oral cancer screenings in Vallejo, CA as part of your regular preventive dentistry checkup.

In the case of oral ...

The Importance of Regular Oral Cancer Screenings

More than 50,000 adults in the United States are diagnosed with oral cancer each year. And men are twice as likely to be diagnosed compared with women.

When caught in the earliest stages, oral cancer treatment is more likely to be successful, and one of the best ways to catch this ...

What Takes Place During an Oral Cancer Screening?

Woman sitting in dental chair | Dentist Vallejo CA

Oral cancer is mouth cancer, which can include the lips, tongue, throat, and other related areas. It affects more than 40,000 people each year. Early detection may lead to more favorable outcomes, and an oral cancer screening should be part of your health maintenance and prevention plan, similar to physicals, ...