Oral Cancer Screenings Save Lives
Easy Oral Cancer Screenings Available – Contact Your Lewiston Dentist
- protect your oral and overall health
- a better outcome with early detection
- simple, pain-free screening
- it’s part of your hygiene appointment
- get peace of mind.
Approximately one person dies each hour in the US due to oral cancer. Mouth and throat cancers are responsible for more than deaths than skin or cervical cancer. This is why early detection – in the form of an oral cancer screening at your Lewiston dentist – is so important. With it, the five-year survival rate can be as high as 90%.
What’s involved in an oral cancer screening?
During your routine hygiene appointment, we’ll examine your entire mouth, including the tongue, lips, cheek lining, and gums. We can spot abnormal cells during this painless process.
Factors that can put you at a higher risk of developing oral cancer are:
- alcohol consumption
- tobacco use
- lots of sun exposure (raises the risk of lip cancer)
- prior diagnosis of oral cancer.
An oral cancer screening may lead to further tests. Although we can detect mouth sores, we can’t confirm whether they are cancerous. A biopsy would be required to do that.
No preparation is required for your oral cancer screening. That makes it super convenient for you!
There are certain things you can do to reduce your chances of developing oral cancer. They include cutting back on bad habits, like smoking and drinking, spending less time in the sun, and eating a healthy amount of fruits and vegetables.
Has it been a while since you last visited us? Give us a call! We’ll give you a thorough oral cancer screening and help safeguard your smile from decay and gum disease.