Sciota, Pennsylvania
When you think about going to the dentist, you likely conjure memories of a teeth cleaning or maybe having a cavity filled. The American Dental Association recommends that everyone has a dental checkup once every six months and, at Chestnuthill Dental, each of these appointments includes a screening for oral cancer. We believe an oral cancer screening is an important component of any dental examination and, today on the blog, we explain why.
4 Reasons to schedule an oral cancer screening
Your dentist can detect signs of oral cancer, which affects the mouth, and oropharyngeal cancer, which occurs in the throat, during a quick and convenient examination. Even though you use your mouth often throughout every day to speak and eat, the signs of cancers of this type can go undetected until you manifest obvious symptoms – and by then, an oral or oropharyngeal cancer likely could be in an advanced stage, making treatment more difficult and even threatening your life.
- Reason 1: Everyone is at risk. Oral cancer tends to affect men more than women, and occurs more frequently among older individuals. However, anyone, of any age, can develop cancers of this type.
- Reason 2: Oral cancer is subtle. If you have a toothache, you know it. If your gums bleed, you see pink in the sink when you brush. Signs of oral cancer are less obvious. However, your dentist knows specific signs of cancer of this type that otherwise would go unnoticed.
- Reason 3: Your dentist’s training. The professional education that dentists receive gives them the expertise to examine other areas of the body that can be affected by oral or oropharyngeal cancer. These areas often include the lymph nodes of the neck, which are commonly the first place that cancers in the mouth and throat spread.
- Reason 4: Rapid response. If your dentist does identify signs of oral cancer, they already have a system in place to proceed to the next component of the diagnostic process. This may entail a referral to another professional or for diagnostic imaging services. This will confirm whether you do or don’t have a cancer of this type. If this does happen to you, early detection and prompt treatment make a world of difference.
What can I do to limit my risk of oral cancer?
If you use tobacco in any form or frequently drink alcohol, this elevates your risk of developing oral cancer. However, approximately 25% of oral cancer patients do not drink or smoke. You can lower your risk of oral and oropharyngeal cancer by refraining from these lifestyle choices.
Oral cancer screenings in Sciota, Pennsylvania
Oral and oropharyngeal cancer cause one death per hour in America. That’s every hour, every day, 365 days a year. At Chestnuthill Dental, Dr. Kenneth Chiusano and Dr. Mark Pugliese both recognize the dangers of oral cancer. That is why they conduct an oral cancer screening as part of each regularly scheduled checkup. If you have not had a checkup lately, now is a great time to get back on track. Make an appointment today. Just call our office at (570) 402-4001 or complete our online contact form.
