As part of your preventive dental care, your dentist will complete a thorough oral cancer screening. Often, the screening is completed after the hygiene and cleaning service when the dentist inspects the mouth for cavities and other areas of concern. Because of this, you may not even be aware that you are benefiting from an oral cancer screening at your next appointment. However, you will need to schedule an appointment for preventive dentistry in Surprise to benefit from this important service. Consider these nine important reasons to request an oral cancer screening today.
Smoking Increases Your Risk
Smoking and the use of other forms of tobacco are the top risk factor for oral cancer. Even if you previously used tobacco and have quit, you may still be at a higher risk of developing cancer. Because of how closely related tobacco use is to oral cancer, individuals who use tobacco should get an oral cancer screening annually.
Alcohol Use Is a Risk Factor
Alcohol consumption is also linked with oral cancer. If you drink regularly, even in small amounts, your risk of developing this type of cancer increases. In addition, if you drink and use tobacco products, your oral cancer risk with both activities combined can increase by 15 times.
HPV Is Associated with Oral Cancer
Many men and women are affected by HPV, or Human Papilloma Virus, without their knowledge. Whether you know that you have been exposed to this virus or not, you may be at an increased risk of developing oropharyngeal cancer. You should be aware that there is an HPV vaccine available that offers protection against this virus.
Sun Exposure Can Lead to Oral Cancer
Most people have spent time out in the sun for extended periods of time in their lives. Sun exposure may place you at a higher risk of developing cancer on the lips. This cancer may initially develop as a blemish that is unnoticeable to you, but your best dentist in Surprise can detect it through an oral cancer screening.
Oral Cancer May Impact Other Areas of the Body
You can and should inspect your mouth periodically as part of an at-home oral cancer screening. However, various types of oral cancer may also impact the neck, head and related lymph nodes. Your dentist will complete a thorough exam of all areas of concern when you sit down for preventive dentistry in Surprise.
Early Detection Increases the Survival Rate
Overall, roughly half of patients with oral cancer will survive for at least five years. However, early detection and treatment can dramatically increase the survival rate. Consider that the survival rate for stage 1 oral cancer is 95%. If you are diagnosed with stage 4 cancer, however, your chance of survival drops to 5%.
Oral Cancer Is Easier to Treat in Early Stages
There are various treatment options for oral cancer, including surgical removal of the cancerous tumor, chemotherapy and radiation. When the cancer is very small, surgery and perhaps a short round of radiation or chemotherapy may be needed. For larger cancers and for cancers that have spread, multiple and potentially longer rounds of radiation and chemotherapy may be needed.
The Dentist May Spot Things You Do Not Notice
You are not able to see all areas of your mouth, such as behind the rear teeth, behind the back of the throat and other areas. Through your dentist’s excellent training and extensive experience, he or she can complete a more thorough screening than you may be able to do on your own. Your dentist will also use mirrors and other devices to access areas that you cannot during the oral cancer screening.
Potential Symptoms Will Be Reviewed
At the beginning of your preventive dental care appointment with your family dentist in Surprise AZ, you will be asked a series of questions. These questions cover your health history as well as potentially concerning symptoms. These may be symptoms that you may not immediately associate as warning signs of oral cancer. They include:
- Hoarseness for an extended period of time
- The sense that something is lodged in the throat
- Pain in one ear
- Difficulty swallowing, chewing or speaking
- Oral numbness
- Lumps in the neck or mouth
- Red or white spots in the mouth
- Ulcers that last for an extended length of time
Schedule an Appointment for Preventive Dentistry in Surprise
Preventive dental health care in Surprise is recommended annually. If it has been more than a year since your last hygiene exam and oral cancer screening, now is the time to make an appointment. In addition to helping you maintain your teeth and gums in excellent health, your screening could potentially save your life. Contact your dental office today to schedule an appointment.