Why You Should Say “Yes” to an Oral Cancer Screening

Facts are facts. Data that supports your health is worth listening to.

Oral cancer awareness provides you a statistically solid reason to trust the facts. Thousands of deaths occur each year because of oral cancer according to the Oral Cancer Foundation.

Many of those deaths could be prevented!

First things first

Oral cancer CAN be prevented. Your awareness is the first vital step to understanding its impact on your mouth and general health.

Your mouth, tongue, and throat are vulnerable to oral cancer. Lifestyle decisions can be blamed for approximately 90 percent of diagnosed cases.

Tobacco and alcohol use are common causes. That said, data is now revealing that oral cancer is being diagnosed in non-tobacco users and among those who rarely or infrequently drink alcohol.

An increasing number of cases are emerging due to the human papilloma virus (HPV16). This currently ranks as the largest source of oral cancer cases.

Other causes are worth noting. Poor dental hygiene, diet, and over exposure to ultra-violet radiation are also to blame.

What you shouldn’t ignore

It’s vital to know the warning signs. Changes that occur in your mouth, on your tongue, or in your throat should be considered.

Pain could be present but not always. Pay attention to any sores or lesions in your mouth that do not heal after a period of two weeks or more.

Watch for these symptoms:

• White or red patches in your mouth
• A thickened area of skin or a lump in your mouth or on your tongue
• Face, neck, or mouth numbness
• The sensation that something is caught in your throat
• Bleeding in your mouth
• Persistent sore throat

Your best solution

Awareness is supported by staying current with your dental examinations and teeth cleanings. Consistent oral check-ups can make you aware of any abnormalities in your mouth, on your tongue, or in your throat.

Your best solution is an oral cancer screening. The screening is fast and painless.

An oral cancer screening is your best solution for early detection of any tissue abnormalities. Suspicious tissue will be sent for a biopsy to determine if further treatment will be necessary.

Your screening can also be included as part of your next dental examination and teeth cleaning appointment.

Contact your Roswell dentist about any abnormalities in your mouth. Schedule a dental examination and request an oral cancer screening.