Are you due for your regular dental checkup? When you come in regularly (every 3-6 months) for those professional teeth cleanings and dental exams, we will be better able to help you keep your smile looking its best.
We will also be able to examine your mouth for signs of any emerging concerns that need to be addressed. Among the things that our team will be looking for is oral cancer. This is a potentially deadly condition. And since April is Oral Cancer Awareness Month, we wanted to tell you a little more about what you can do to save your life.
Keep reading and then be sure to call us at 508-222-2510 to request your next appointment in Attleboro, MA.
Oral Cancer: Knowing The Warning Signs
While a lot of your preventive dental care happens at home every day, your professional cleanings and exams matter a lot. You see, most non-professionals wouldn’t know what to look for when it comes to the majority of dental issues. This is often the case with oral cancer, which can start out as a tiny sore or small spot inside the mouth. It can emerge in the inner cheeks, tongue, lips, and gums as well as the soft and hard palate. If anything seems amiss to you, be sure to tell us when you get here.
Oral Cancer Screening Can Save Your Life
Oral cancer screening helps detect the presence of cancerous and precancerous changes in the mouth. As we are always changing with the times, we have integrated the VELscope system into our practice. This is a handheld tool that identifies tissue abnormalities that can be an early indicator of oral cancer.
Remember, early detection is crucial to your survival. Consider this: the five-year survival rate for oral cancer that doesn’t spread to other areas of the body is something like 83 percent. The number drops drastically, however, if the cancer is able to spread.
Everyone should get checked regularly, especially if you have a higher risk of developing the condition. Patients who are more at risk are those who use tobacco products and/or drink alcohol regularly, and also folks who have previously had oral cancer in their family. Overexposure to the sun is also bad news. And after a certain age (45) your chances of getting cancer keep going up.
Call Now For Cancer Prevention
We hope that you have been inspired to save your smile and your life by entrusting your oral health to us. If you ever notice strange sores, lesions, patches, and color changes, get in touch with us immediately to set up your oral cancer screening. Otherwise, we’ll take care of it during your next visit. We recommend dental exams and teeth cleanings every 3-6 months.
Because we know that working dental appointments into a busy schedule can be a challenge, we offer extended hours. Unlike many dentists, we even schedule Friday and Saturday appointments. Let us know what works best for you when you call our Attleboro, MA dental office today at 508-222-2510 or fill out our online form to request your appointment.
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