You may not be aware of this, but our dentist looks for all kinds of dental issues you may have during your dental exam. One of the conditions our dentist checks you for twice a year is oral cancer. Here are a few ways a dentist can check you for oral cancer while you are in the office.
IS ORAL CANCER A SERIOUS ISSUE?
Oral cancer, like all cancers, is potentially a very serious issue. Nearly 60,000 people are diagnosed with oral cancer each year, and about 12,000 people die from the disease yearly. Oral cancer can also lead to facial disfigurement. Like all cancers, the earlier you catch oral cancer, the easier it is to treat it, and the better the outcomes are for patients.
There are several factors that increase your risk of becoming diagnosed with oral cancer. If you use tobacco, you are at an increased risk of oral cancer. Also, heavy drinkers increase their risk factors for oral cancer. People who were diagnosed with human papillomavirus or HPV have an increased risk of oral cancer. Like skin cancer, your risk for oral cancer increases around your lips when you do not wear sunscreen. If you have any of these risk factors, your chances of getting oral cancer increase with age.
SCREENING FOR ORAL CANCER
The first diagnostic tool dentists use to screen for oral cancer is a physical exam. While our dentist is examining your teeth and gums, they are also looking for red or white bumps or patches that look suspicious. If they see something abnormal, our dentist may conduct additional screenings using dental tools. Sometimes, dentists use a flashlight to shine a light on a suspicious spot.
Dentists also use a blue dye as a mouth rinse, which causes potential cancers to appear darker than the surrounding tissue. If the dentist is concerned about an area in your mouth, they may do a quick brush technique to collect cells for a biopsy.
If you are worried about your dental health or about your oral cancer risk, we can help. Reach out to our office today to make an appointment.