Visiting your dentist at least twice per year provides even more benefits than simply cleaning your teeth! Each time you come into our office, you provide the opportunity to examine your smile and surrounding oral tissues for any new developments since your last appointment. This helps us determine if conditions such as oral cancer present themselves, and habitual screenings help you make their discovery early. While some signs of cancer may appear obvious and alert you to seek treatment, professional oral cancer screening allows us to catch symptoms you may be unaware of. We scan your lips, tongue, and cheeks while teaching you what to review on your own in between visits. A careful approach to inspecting your oral cavity when brushing and flossing each morning can help increase your odds of detection! Remember that early discovery can increase the likelihood of beneficial treatment, so make sure not to skip your routine examinations!
At your Prairie Village, KS dentist’s office, we stress that the first step in defeating oral cancer is detecting it in the first place. When you visit our practice regularly, you give yourself dramatically improved odds of discovering any new oral cancer development. Combining regular screenings with self-examinations at home can detect abnormal areas of tissue so they do not continue to grow without treatment.
Practicing Behaviors To Reduce Your Risk Of Oral Cancer
While we perform screenings to help you detect oral cancer, what can you do to reduce your odds of developing a case in the first place? While you have no control over certain factors such as age and family history, taking time to understand the lifestyle habits that prevent or increase your odds can help you reduce your risk. Tobacco use in its various forms contributes greatly to oral cancer expression. Whether from smoking, chewing, or other means, your cancer risk increases the more you consume. Similarly, heavy alcohol use is a large contributing factor to developing oral cancer.
Strategies to lower your oral cancer risk include eating a diet that is rich in vegetables, nuts, beans, fruits, and whole grains. When you exercise on a regular basis, you also lower your chances of developing the disease.
Checking For Symptoms At Home
Outside of your general checkup and cleanings, make the habit of checking your mouth for any sudden changes in its tissues. Any lumps, changes in color, or sores should be a cause for concern. If you develop sudden changes in health like pain that will not subside or dramatic weight loss, let us know right away so we can perform a thorough review.
Talk To Your Prairie Village, KS Dentist About Receiving An Oral Cancer Screening
When you prioritize your oral health, regular cancer screenings help lead to early detection. For more information and to schedule a screening, please contact your Prairie Village, KS dental practice today at 913-901-8585.
