Why Are Regular Oral Cancer Screenings So Important?

Did you know that getting regular dental checkups could save your life as well as your smile? An important part of your routine examination is an oral cancer screening. This common cancer affects more than 50,000 Americans every year, and it can be deadly if left undetected. Thankfully, an early diagnosis can significantly increase the likelihood of successful treatment. Read on to find out more about this common cancer and its symptoms as well as how regular dental checkups can keep you and your smile safe.

What is Oral Cancer?

Oral cancer is an uncontrollable growth of cells in the mouth which will spread and damage the surrounding tissues. This can happen anywhere in the oral cavity, including the lips, tongue, cheeks, roof or floor of the mouth, gums, sinuses, or throat. It’s estimated that oral cancer will be discovered in almost 53,000 people next year and cause nearly 10,000 deaths. The Oral Cancer Foundation reports that the high death rate isn’t because this condition is hard to identify, but because it’s often not diagnosed until its later stages.

How Can Regular Dental Checkups Help?

Every six months at your routine dental checkup, your dentist will carefully search for any early warning signs of oral cancer. With special lights, advanced tools, and years of training, your dentist can get a much better look at your mouth to spot any irregularities. Typically, they’ll check your neck, face, and head along with the inside of your mouth for any abnormal lumps, discolorations, or sores.

If you’ve ever tried to take a close look at the back of your mouth, you know it can be difficult to keep an eye on your own oral health. That’s why it’s so important that you get a dental checkup and oral cancer screening every six months. Not only will this keep your smile sparkling and clean, but it will help identify any issues and begin treatment as early as possible.

What Are the Symptoms of Oral Cancer?

Some of the most common warning signs of oral cancer include:

• Red or white spots or other strange patches of discoloration.
• Strange crusts, swelling, or rough areas.
• Slow-healing sores or unexplained bleeding.
• Frequent or chronic soreness in the throat.
• Difficulty chewing, swallowing, or speaking.

Remember, your beautiful smile isn’t the only part of you that benefits from regular dental checkups! Be sure to visit your dentist twice a year and contact them right away if you notice any symptoms of oral cancer.

About the Practice

At Dolfield Dental in Owings Mills, MD, we understand just how important early detection is when it comes to oral health conditions, including oral cancer. Dr. Jacob Milner and Dr. R. Mark Horner use modern techniques and state-of-the-art technology to identify any oral health issue in its earliest stages, which drastically increases the likelihood of a successful treatment. If you have any more questions about oral cancer, feel free to contact us via our website or  (410) 902-4110.