Have You Been Screened Recently For Oral Cancer?

With cases of oral cancer on the rise it is important to have regular oral cancer screenings by a dental health care provider.

Some risk factors for oral cancer include:  alcohol and tobacco use, Human papilloma virus (HPV), age, chronic irritation, and excessive sun exposure.

If you notice any of the following symptoms you should contact your dentist immediately:

-A sore or lesion that has not healed for two weeks

-Difficulty chewing and or swallowing

-Red or white patch that does not go away

-Swollen lymph nodes of the neck

-Persistent sore throat

-Dark or abnormal spots on or around the lips

 

Your hygienist, Holly or Abby, will perform an intra and extra oral examination at each visit.   Early detection and treatment are important for better long term prognosis.