Advance Dental: Blog

April is Oral Cancer Awareness Month In the United States alone every hour of every day someone loses their life to oral or oropharyngeal cancer. It is the cancer of the mouth and upper throat. Only forty percent of patients diagnosed will live longer than five years. Patients often end up suffering from facial disfigurement or trouble talking and eating. Its fatality is directly linked to its late-stage diagnosis. Dentists are often the first to identify oral cancer symptoms in patients, which is why offering oral cancer screenings is crucial. Early detection and prevention are key. Symptoms of Oral Cancer Dentists should provide their patients with information on the symptoms and indicators of oral cancer. If a patient has an abnormality in their mouth that does not improve or disappear after two to three weeks, they need to see a dental professional immediately. Urge your patients to perform self-checks and be vigilant of symptoms, such as: Sores or ulcers that d...

April is Oral Cancer Awareness Month Did you know an estimated 50,000 people are diagnosed with oral cancer in the United States each year? That accounts for nearly 2.9% of all cancers! Your dentist or dental hygienist is in the best position to detect oral cancer during your routine examinations. At each routine examination you are given an oral cancer screening in our office. We are looking for anything abnormal that should not be present in your mouth. This could be a lump, lesions, red or white spots, sores or areas that bleed easily. If there is an area of concern, the rule of thumb is, if it does not resolve in about a two week time period it should be considered suspect and worthy of further examination or referral for biopsy.  Early detection is essential to more successful treatment outcomes.  It is important to be aware of your own body and be able to recognize any changes. Please let Dr....