Your smile is one of your greatest assets—but did you know it can also offer clues about your overall health? At Heath Family Dentistry, we prioritize preventive care, including protecting your long-term health through oral cancer screening for College Station residents. While often overlooked, this essential exam could be life-saving, especially when performed regularly by a trained professional like Dr. Winston Heath.
Whether you’re coming in for a routine cleaning or seeking cosmetic or restorative care, an oral cancer screening is integral to your visit. With a thorough, comfortable exam that takes just minutes, we can detect early warning signs before symptoms become more serious. It’s one of the simplest ways to prioritize your wellness—and one of the most important.
What Is Oral Cancer Screening?
Oral cancer screening is a painless visual and physical examination of the mouth, tongue, lips, cheeks, throat, and jaw for signs of cancerous or precancerous conditions. At Heath Family Dentistry, Dr. Winston Heath uses modern tools and years of experience to examine these areas thoroughly during your preventative care visit.
Because many forms of oral cancer develop without noticeable pain or symptoms at first, early detection plays a key role in successful treatment. Screening lets us identify suspicious changes early—when they’re most treatable.
Why Oral Cancer Screening Matters
1. Oral Cancer Rates Are Rising
More than 50,000 Americans are diagnosed with oral cancer each year, and the numbers continue to rise. Risk factors include tobacco and alcohol use, but even non-smokers can develop oral cancer due to factors like genetics or HPV exposure. For College Station patients, oral cancer screening is an easy way to stay proactive about your health in the face of these rising risks.
2. It’s Fast, Easy, and Painless
You don’t need a separate appointment to benefit from a screening. At Heath Family Dentistry, Dr. Heath includes oral cancer screening as part of your comprehensive exam. It takes only a few minutes, involves no discomfort, and gives you peace of mind—especially when performed regularly.
3. Early Detection Improves Survival Rates
When detected early, oral cancer has a five-year survival rate of nearly 85%. Unfortunately, many cases aren’t found until the disease has progressed. Regular screenings increase your chances of detecting cancer in its early stages—when it’s easiest to treat and least likely to spread.
Signs and Symptoms You Shouldn’t Ignore
Although screening is the best way to catch oral cancer early, you should always let your dentist know if you experience any of the following between visits:
- A sore that doesn’t heal
- Red or white patches in the mouth
- Persistent mouth pain or tenderness
- Difficulty chewing or swallowing
- A lump or thickening in the cheek
- Voice changes or a sore throat that lasts
Meet Dr. Winston Heath: Committed to Your Total Health
At Heath Family Dentistry, we take a whole-body approach to dental care. Dr. Winston Heath is dedicated to maintaining healthy smiles and identifying signs of systemic health issues—like oral cancer—before they worsen.
Dr. Heath takes time with each patient, answering questions and tailoring your visit to fit your individual’s needs. His thoroughness and commitment to care make him a trusted family dentist in College Station for patients of all ages.
Beyond Screenings: Comprehensive Dental Services
While oral cancer screening is part of our care model, Heath Family Dentistry offers a full range of services to support your dental health year-round. From preventive and restorative treatments to smile-enhancing procedures, we are here to keep your smile healthy and bright.
Explore some of our most popular services:
We make it easy to keep your appointments timely and comfortable and pride ourselves on fostering long-term relationships with our patients.
Oral Cancer Screening in College Station: Don’t Delay
A few minutes twice a year could protect your health for a lifetime. That’s the power of preventive dentistry, and it’s why oral cancer screening in College Station is so important. Dr. Winston Heath and the Heath Family Dentistry team welcome you to our warm, friendly practice where we treat every patient like family. We offer personalized care, modern technology, and a focus on early detection that puts your wellness first.
Whether you’re due for a cleaning or want peace of mind about your oral health, don’t wait—schedule your exam today with Heath Family Dentistry.