The Scoop and Scope of Oral Cancer Screenings

The Oral Cancer Foundation (OCF) states that less than 15% of those who regularly visit the dentist report having an oral cancer screening. This is surprising, as the best way to combat oral cancer—or any other type of cancer for that matter—is from early detection and treatment. The foundation is championing a cause to educate communities about oral cancer. Have you had an oral cancer screening before? If not, learn what to expect during your screening and why they are important.

Oral Cancer: A Silent Killer

There are over 100 different types of cancers that a person can get. Many people know someone with some form of cancer, while others go their entire lives without ever knowing someone with cancer. Even fewer people know someone that has had oral cancer, even though it kills thousands each year. Someone in the United States dies every hour of every day from oral cancer. Approximately 49,750 people will be diagnosed with oral cancer before 2017 ends. That’s about 132 people each day that are diagnosed. When found early, there is a 80-90% chance of survival. When found in its later stages, there is only a 43% survival rate of this type of cancer.

There are certain habits that can increase your risk for oral cancer. Tobacco and heavy alcohol use are some of the highest risk factors for developing oral cancer. In fact, they are a factor in about 75% of oral cancer cases as well as other cancers. Those with HPV also have a significantly higher risk for oral cancer. Once diagnosed and treated properly, you can be re-diagnosed with oral cancer once more as well, so you must be vigilant on visiting the dentist and having your oral health checked.

Oral Cancer Screening

The OCF recommends that every patient begin receiving an oral cancer screening starting at age 18. You should continue to have this screening every single year at one of your dental checkups (or both). This will significantly reduce your chances for cancer progression and will keep your oral health in check. The entire examination takes less than 5 minutes. As soon as you begin speaking to Dr. Varley, he will listen for any speech abnormalities (such as a raspy voice) that could indicate an abnormality in your throat. He will check your neck and cheeks for abnormal lumps and he will check every part of the inside of your mouth, including your gums, cheeks and throat.

An oral cancer screening is a routine part of every checkup we perform to make sure your mouth is free of lesions or other areas of concern. While oral cancer is extremely rare, it can progress very quickly and can be deadly. Early detection is very important, which is why we can help you to perform monthly self exams in between your times visiting our office.

Dental Cleanings

Keeping your teeth and mouth clean is the best way to prevent cancer, infections, tooth decay, gum disease and other oral health issues. Cleaning your teeth through brushing and flossing only takes a few minutes of your day, but can significantly help you for your entire life. The American Dental Association recommends brushing your teeth at least twice a day to sufficiently remove plaque that causes tooth decay. This is only a baseline recommendation, as most patients will benefit from brushing their teeth even more than this (such as after every meal). The ADA also recommends flossing your teeth every single day to remove food particles that get stuck in between the teeth and cause tooth decay.

We know the importance of keeping your mouth (and especially the teeth) clean. That is why we recommend that every patient come into our office at least twice a year for a dental cleaning. One of the most important parts of a dental checkup is a thorough cleaning of your teeth, gums and mouth. This is where we polish your teeth with high-powered tools, floss each individual tooth, check your bite and alignment, and provide you a fluoride treatment to help strengthen your teeth. If gum disease is present, a deeper cleaning of the gums is done.

Comprehensive Examinations

A dental cleaning is not complete without a comprehensive examination. After your teeth are clean, Dr. Varley will review your dental radiographs and examine your teeth for signs of decay. He will also check your gums for gum swelling and redness and will measure the depth of your gingival pockets. If he sees signs of tooth grinding, TMJ, or other problems, he will suggest tips and treatments to remedy these problems.

An oral cancer screening will be part of your dental cleaning and exam. This should be something that a dentist does every time you come into the office. If not, ask for it! We were surprised to know that less than 15% of those who regularly visit the dentist report actually receiving an oral cancer screening. This screening is vital for early diagnosis and treatment, and is something that we strive to provide all of our patients with.

Stay Healthy and Avoid Cancer

Even the healthiest patients need regular dental checkups. You may go years without problems with tooth decay or gum disease, but you may show early signs of oral cancer. All of these oral health issues are painless until they progress enough to become severe. You never want an oral health problem to become severe, as it can seriously damage your teeth and soft tissues of your mouth. Nobody wants cancer of any type. Thankfully, when found early, we can treat oral cancer before it takes your life. If you are due for your dental check-up, call Stonebrook Family Dental today at (303) 872-7907 to schedule your appointment and ask to receive your oral cancer screening as well. It just might save your life!