How often do you see our team for a checkup and cleaning? We want to see you twice a year to ensure good oral health, and not just for your teeth and gums. Our team also wants to conduct at least one oral cancer screening a year. In today’s blog, your Prairie Village, KS, dentist talks about the importance of a screening.
Why You Need a Screening
According to studies from the Oral Cancer Foundation, an estimated 53,000 people will be diagnosed with oral cancer this year alone. Of that number, within five years half will have succumbed to the disease. Despite the issue being very treatable, there is a high mortality rate since the disease is rarely caught in the early stages. The sooner we catch it, the sooner you can start treatment and the more likely a full recovery becomes. Which is why we want you to see us for a checkup and cleaning every six months, so we can conduct a screening at least once a year of the soft tissues for signs of cancerous or possibly precancerous areas.
The Warning Signs and Causes of Oral Cancer
How do you know if you have oral cancer? We want to see you for a routine visit twice a year, but if you encounter any changes to the interior of your mouth, we hope you will contact us right away for a thorough exam. For example, if you have sudden changes to your voice or unexplained weight loss, a sore throat or hoarseness that lasts more than 14 days, or sores and lesions in the interior of your mouth that don’t heal, let us know. Areas of the interior of the mouth with red and white splotches could also be problematic.
While the disease can form in smiles without these underlying risk factors, common potential causes could include excessive UV light exposure, excess alcohol consumption, or the use of tobacco products, such as cigarettes or vaping.
Lowering Risk Factors
You can help protect yourself by avoiding all tobacco products and drinking alcohol in moderation. Also, if you are going to be outdoors be sure you are using protection against UV light. Even if you take these actions, remember that oral cancer could still develop, so you should continue to see us every year.
Screening and Biopsies
The process involves taking a close look at the interior of your mouth with digital imaging and a visual exam, so we can identify any areas of possible concern, and then we can order a biopsy to examine these tissues in detail.
Call Dr. Robert Browne, D.D.S. for a Routine Exam
Our team wants to help protect your smile, and that involves a routine visit twice a year! To find out more about the need for an annual screening, or to schedule an appointment, please call Dr. Robert M. Browne, D.D.S. in Prairie Village, KS at (913) 901-8585.
