Support Oral Cancer Awareness with Your Dentist in Waterbury

You work hard to keep your smile healthy to prevent tooth decay and gum disease. Did you know there is another danger that may be lurking in your mouth? Oral cancer is more common than you might believe. In fact, the Oral Cancer Foundation estimates 53,000 Americans will be diagnosed with it this year. Unfortunately, only 57% of those who are diagnosed will survive 5 years or longer. Do not worry. You can benefit from early detect with a routine screening from your dentist in Waterbury.

Oral Cancer Awareness

The Oral Cancer Foundation estimates 1 person per hour every day dies from oral cancer. The mortality rate is higher than many cancers because the disease often is not found until it has reached advanced stages or spread to other areas of the body. This is often the result of late detection.

It is not common knowledge oral cancer screenings are necessary or available during routine preventive dental appointments. As a result, April is dedicated as Oral Cancer Awareness Month. Dental professionals throughout the United States come together to educate the public about oral cancer and the availability of screenings. 80% of new oral cancer cases can be detected early by a dentist.

Do I Need an Oral Cancer Screening?

Oral cancer is classified as those that affect the head and neck; however, brain cancer is in a separate category. Often, it is thought those who smoke are the only ones at risk of oral cancer. While your risk of it is significantly higher if you use tobacco, anyone can develop mouth cancer, which is why it is vital you have a regular screening during your semi-annual cleaning and checkup.

Your dentist performs a quick and painless examination to evaluate your mouth and oral structures to look for any abnormalities, such as:

• Sores on the lips or mouth that will not heal.
• Red or white patches on the oral tissues.
• Rough patches in the mouth.
• Lumps or bumps on the inside of your mouth.
• Loose teeth.

Besides obvious signs, they will also discuss potential symptoms you have, such as:

• Mouth pain.
• Difficulty moving the tongue or jaw.
• Difficulty swallowing.
• Feeling like something is caught in the throat.
• Ear pain.

If your dentist finds a concerning area, a biopsy is taken to test it for cancerous or precancerous cells. Your dentist will inform you of the results and discuss if any additional treatment is needed.

Dentist Near Me for Mouth Cancer Screenings

Healthy teeth and gums are not the only reason to visit your dentist twice a year. It is vital to detecting oral cancer early. If you have not been to your dentist in the past 6 months, do not wait any longer to schedule an appointment.

About Waterbury Smiles

Dr. Marini and Dr. Mancini are committed to improving our patients’ quality of life through superior dental care. We offer a variety of preventive services, including oral cancer screenings. If it is time for your semi-annual visit, contact Waterbury Smiles today to schedule an appointment.