What's the big deal about oral cancer?
According to the latest released United States Census Data, as analyzed by the Center for Disease Control, oral cancer is the #8 in the the top ten cancers. The rate of oral cancer is approximately THREE TIMES that of the highly publicized cervical cancer. Oral cancer can be extremely disfiguring and has a high incidence of mortality when it is not detected and treated early. This is precisely why the dentists at Light Dental Studios perform an oral cancer exam at EVERY exam with a cleaning or new patient exam. If something is determined to be "suspicious," you will be re-evaluated in two weeks. We allow two weeks to pass to ensure the suspicious patch is not the result of trauma, such as a cheek bite, pizza burn, or allergic reaction. If the area continues to look suspicious, the area will be sampled and sent to a lab and tested for abnormal cells. In the case that abnormal cells are detected, we will refer you to a specialist highly trained in the field of treating oropharyngeal cancers.
Things to mention to your dentist:
- unexplained swelling
- pain or other sensations such as tingling or numbness
- red or white patches that do not go away
- rough feeling tissues
