With the rise of oral cancer rates, protect your health with a simple oral cancer screening.
Every six months you turn to our Allentown, PA, dentist Dr. Robert Sanford for routine cleanings and exams. Of course, these visits provide a variety of benefits to your health, and one of these benefits is an oral cancer screening. This is the best tool at our dentist’s disposal for being able to pinpoint those early warning signs of oral cancer.
What are the warning signs of oral cancer?
The signs and symptoms of oral cancer that we are looking for when we examine your mouth include,
- Any red or white patches
- Suspicious lumps or growths
- Sores that don’t heal
- Ulcers or spots that bleed
- Pain in the tongue or mouth
Of course, especially during the earliest stages, you may not even notice any changes or symptoms. This is why it’s so important to visit your Allentown, PA, family dentist for routine checkups twice a year. Even the smallest changes in your oral health may be overlooked day to day, but our dental team can spot them right away. The sooner we catch dental issues the sooner they can be treated.
What are the risk factors for oral cancer?
Here are some factors that could increase your chances of developing oral cancer during your lifetime,
- Being 40 years or older
- Smoking or using tobacco products
- Heavy alcohol use
- Poor diet
- Spending extended periods of time outdoors, exposed to the sun
Who should get oral cancer screenings?
These screenings aren’t just for those at a high risk for oral cancer; everyone should get screened because anyone can develop oral cancer. Again, with the rise in HPV cases dentists are also seeing a rise in oral cancer rates in younger populations; therefore, if you want to ensure that you get screened then you’ll want to visit your dentist every six months. Taking five minutes out of your day twice a year is all it requires to promote a long, healthy life.
Sanford Center for Total Health Dentistry in Allentown, PA, is dedicated to keeping patients of all ages healthy and happy. Whether you need to schedule a routine checkup for yourself and the whole family or you have questions about the services we offer, don’t hesitate to call (610) 820-6000.