Oral Cancer Screening
This is a part of the comprehensive or periodic exam. Dr. Jones will carefully check all soft tissues in and around the mouth for any abnormalities. These symptoms include: red or white patches; a sore that does not heal; pain, tenderness or numbness in mouth or lips; a lump, thickening, rough spot, crust or small eroded area; difficulty chewing, swallowing, speaking or moving tongue or jaw; or, a change in the way your teeth fit together when your mouth is closed*.
Oral Cancer Risk Factors**:
The earlier cancer is detected, the easier the treatment may be and the greater the chance of a cure. Be sure to self examine once a month and visit your dentist regularly. What is regularly? Dr. Jones recommends twice yearly.
*Check out MouthHealth.org for additional information about oral cancer screenings.
** Source: Oral Cancer Foundation, National Cancer Institute and National Institutes of Health
Oral Cancer Risk Factors**:
- Men are twice as likely to develop oral cancer as they grow older
- Smoking and Alcohol increases your risk
- Smokeless tobacco is not a safe alternative! Users face a 400% greater chance or oral cancer than non-users
- HPV16 virus has been linked to a subset of oral cancers
- Tanning and prolonged sun exposure is a risk for lip cancer
The earlier cancer is detected, the easier the treatment may be and the greater the chance of a cure. Be sure to self examine once a month and visit your dentist regularly. What is regularly? Dr. Jones recommends twice yearly.
*Check out MouthHealth.org for additional information about oral cancer screenings.
** Source: Oral Cancer Foundation, National Cancer Institute and National Institutes of Health
