April Is Oral Cancer Awareness Month

Early Detection Is SO Important

Early oral cancer detection can boost survival rates to 80–90%! One of the reasons oral cancer goes undetected is because many of the symptoms are not painful. If you experience any of the following symptoms, please let us know right away:

1. A lump or thickening of your cheek
2. A white or red patch on any part of your inner mouth or throat
3. A sore inside your mouth that doesn’t heal within two weeks
4. Difficulty moving your tongue or jaw
5. Numbness inside your mouth
6. Chronic difficulty swallowing or chewing
7. Jaw swelling

What To Expect From Oral Cancer Screening At Our Practice

Keep regularly scheduled cleaning appointments and screenings. Doing so GREATLY increases the likelihood that any problems will be detected early. It’s worth it.

In addition to a visual and palpable oral exam we have been using a screening device for a number of years called the VELscope. The VELscope exam only takes a few minutes to perform. It is a handheld tool that emits a safe blue light that provides an effective means of differentiating between normal and abnormal tissue.

As with any cancer, early detection and treatment offer the best opportunity for satisfactory results.

Let Us Know If You Have Any Questions Or Concerns

As your trusted, lifelong oral health partner, we want to keep you and your loved ones as healthy as possible. Let us know if you have questions about oral cancer or any of the symptoms mentioned above. And share this information with someone you love!