Oral Cancer Screenings are Completed During Every Dental Exam

oral-cancer-screenings

In America alone, almost 50,000 people will be diagnosed with oral cancer each year. Of those people, only a little more than half will be alive five years from now. Because of its far-reaching impact on many families worldwide, April is Oral Cancer Awareness Month.

During this month, oral health professionals and those affected by oral cancer of all types work hard to spread awareness and educate people on the disease, what it looks like, and the preventative steps people can take to protect themselves and their loved ones.

Oral Cancer Awareness Month 

April is Oral Cancer Awareness Month, so it’s the perfect time for us to remind ourselves of the importance of dental checkups that include oral cancer screenings and our oral health. According to the Mayo Clinic,

“Oral cancer refers to cancer that develops in any of the parts that make up the mouth (oral cavity). Mouth cancer can occur on the lips, gum, tongue, the inner lining of the cheeks, the roof of the mouth, and floor of the mouth (under the tongue). Cancer that occurs on the inside of the mouth is sometimes called oral cancer or oral cavity cancer.”

Learn More about mouth cancer from Mayo Clinic HERE.

Men vs. Women

Oral cancer often affects men more than women, and also affects young people who are non-smoking. It’s important to catch oral cancer in its early stages, so frequent dental checkups where your dentist can look for any signs or symptoms of oral cancer through oral cancer screenings are imperative. Make sure to inform your dentist if you have anything out of the ordinary happening in or around your mouth. We’re also happy to answer any questions you may have.

Early detection and diagnosis is imperative, learn more HERE.

Stopping Oral Cancer

While oral cancer cannot be completely prevented, there are some things you can do to greatly reduce your risks and amp up your oral health.

  • Stop smoking
  • Eat healthy diet
  • Limit your alcohol intake
  • Maintain a health exercise schedule
  • Maintain good oral health habits
  • Attend twice-a-year dental checkups

More about Oral Cancer Awareness from the Oral Cancer Foundation.

What to Look For

There are certain signs and symptoms that you can watch out for in-between your dental checkups. If you are experiencing any of these, please call us today for an appointment.

  • Weight loss
  • Numbness, pain/tenderness around the mouth or neck
  • White, red, or speckled patches in the mouth
  • Any crusty, eroded areas in or around the mouth, or lumps
  • Chronic sore throat or hoarseness, changes in voice
  • Trouble chewing or swallowing
  • Trouble speaking or moving your jaw or tongue
  • Changes in the way your teeth or dentures fit when closing mouth
  • Bleeding in the mouth

Regular Dental Exams Keep MORE than Your smile Healthy!

Professional dental exams and cleanings aren’t just for keeping your smile bright; they can have a significant impact on your general health.

Insufficient oral hygiene has been linked to several serious illnesses. Associated medical and dental issues include bone loss, cardiovascular disease, strokes, cancers, and many other problems. Brushing and flossing at home are essential, but to ensure teeth are healthy and thoroughly clean, you should schedule regular check-ups and oral cancer screenings with your dentist and annual dental cleanings with your dental hygienist.

Your Dental Exam Can Save Your Live

When you come in to see your dentist for a dental exam, you may think of getting your teeth cleaned, maybe an x-ray, and a general checkup. Actually, dental exams include so much for your oral health and overall wellbeing! When we conduct our dental exams, we also look for any warning signs of decay, disease, oral cancer, and anything else that may look out of the norm by completing simple oral cancer screenings on each patient.

This is great news for you! At Adams Dental Group, we take pride in taking care of our patients, so it’s more important than ever to schedule your twice-a-year checkups today.

Related Article: Dental Cleanings and Exams Create Healthy Smiles

9 Reasons Professional Cleanings are SO Important:

  1. Your dental hygienist can remove most of the stains that dull and discolor your teeth, so you’ll be left with a brighter, whiter, healthy smile.
  2. Having your teeth cleaned can prevent gum disease, which leads to early tooth loss.
  3. In America alone, one person dies from oral cancer every hour, but many of these cancers are curable if detected at an early stage during routine cleanings that includes oral cancer screenings.
  4. A strong link exists between cardiovascular disease and gum disease. Because getting your teeth cleaned twice a year helps prevent gum disease, it can also reduce your chances of potentially deadly heart attacks and strokes.
  5. During a professional dental cleaning, it’s easy for your dentist to detect early signs of problems such as broken fillings and tooth fractures.
  6. Many dental insurance plans cover cleanings, and you’ll save money on dental expenses in the long run by taking advantage of your policy.
  7. If your dentist finds any serious problems during a teeth cleaning or exam, the office can help you make financial arrangements to cover the necessary procedures.
  8. Professional dental cleanings give your dentist or hygienist an opportunity to compare the state of your oral health to that of previous visits. If you’re moving in the wrong direction, immediate intervention can put you back on track.
  9. Regular check-ups and dental cleanings help prevent and resolve persistent bad breath.

Check out this article about how often you should see your dentist in SELF Magazine: Do I Really Need Teeth Cleanings Twice a Year?

Adams Dental Group Can Help

Dental professionals are true advocates of oral care. We are not only adamant about keeping teeth clean, but we­ are also concerned with your overall dental health. Checking for defects, abnormalities, and indications of severe issues in the bone, teeth, or gums are also at the forefront of our practice. Similarly, offering advice on how to properly care for teeth and correct certain habits is also a part of the patient education that we offer. Should you be looking for a dentist that is serious about oral care, contact our dental office to book your dental appointment.

At Adams Dental Group, we offer affordable dental care that fits the needs of our patients and their family. Whether you’re looking for a new dental home for preventative dental care or are interested in enhancing your smile with one of our many cosmetic dentistry procedures, we’re excited to meet you! Please visit our website for additional details or give us a call at 913-296-8030 to discuss any questions you may have!

Local dentist, Travis A. Roberts and his experienced, friendly team at Adams Dental Group offer affordable family dentistry and gentle dental care in the Kansas City, KS area. We have two locations that are conveniently located and offer appointment times Monday through Friday to meet your needs. At Adams Dental Group, we provide most dental services, from family and general dentistry to specialty procedures, including dental implants, dentures, endodontic or root canal treatment, teeth whitening, cosmetic dentistry and much more. We accept most dental insurance plans and offer affordable financial solutions for any budget. Call us at our West location (913) 296-8030 or our East location (913) 621-3113 to schedule an appointment.

April 29th, 2023

Posted In: Dental Health Tips