Oral cancer screenings are typically a component of routine dental checkups. During this procedure, your dentist will visually inspect your lips, tongue, cheek lining, throat, and gums for red or white patches and sores.
The earliest oral cancer lesions are often asymptomatic and only diagnosed when they become enlarged or ulcerated. This is why it is important to have regular oral cancer screening Austin TX.
Tobacco Use
Like all cancers, oral cancer is curable in 80-90% of cases when it is caught early. However, due to the nature of this disease and a lack of awareness, this is often not the case. Among other things, smoking and chewing tobacco increase your risk for mouth cancer. Other primary lifestyle risk factors are heavy alcohol consumption and contact with certain strains of the human papillomavirus, which is sexually transmitted. Men are at a higher risk for this disease, especially those over age 50.
Authentic Smiles provides oral cancer screening in Austin as part of regular checkups to help preserve our patients’ health. Our team of dentists cares about every patient we welcome into our practice, which is why these important screenings are a vital component of routine dental exams. While we recommend that all patients schedule an oral cancer screening Austin TX at least twice per year, those with risk factors should do so more frequently.
Alcohol Consumption
Aside from tobacco and excessive sun exposure, heavy alcohol consumption is another primary cause of oral cancer. In fact, it is estimated that one adult American dies of mouth cancer every hour. Alcohol is thought to contribute to this condition due to ethanol and its metabolites that are carcinogenic to the tissues of the mouth.
A study of five cohorts found a statistically significant increase in risk with increased alcohol drinking even when smoking was controlled for.
Aside from limiting tobacco and alcohol, it is also important to get screened regularly for oral cancer and pre-cancerous lesions. Michael Bell performs these screenings during initial and yearly exams at his office in Austin, TX. Early detection is key, as 80-90% of mouth cancers and pre-cancerous lesions are curable when caught in the early stages. That’s why Dr. Scaff makes a point to include this test in the oral exam of each patient in his practice! He truly cares about his patients’ well-being.
HPV Infection
The human papilloma virus (HPV) is the most common sexually transmitted infection in the US. Most people who get it clear the infection within two years without any problems. However, a small percentage of people who have persistent HPV infections can develop oral cancers or other health problems related to the virus.
HPV is spread most often through skin-to-skin genital contact, such as vaginal, anal or oral sex. It is also possible to get the virus from a blood transfusion or through some other sources of infection.
The good news is that there is a vaccine for HPV that can be given to women and men to help protect them from cervical cancer. The vaccine has been shown to be very effective in preventing the disease. However, it is important to be aware that the risk of HPV-related cancers still exists, especially for high-risk groups. This is one of the reasons why it is very important to be screened regularly at our Round Rock dentist office near Austin.
Sun Exposure
People who spend a lot of time outdoors, or people who don’t wear sunscreen on their lips, are more at risk for developing oral cancers. These types of cancers typically develop in the thin tissue that lines the inside of the mouth and gums. Other common risk factors include tobacco use, heavy alcohol consumption, the human papillomavirus (HPV) infection, and a family history of cancer.
Unfortunately, a small sign of cancer or precancerous cells may go undetected by an oral exam alone. The only way to know whether a sore is cancerous or not is by performing a biopsy.
Fortunately, regular oral cancer screening Austin TX can improve the odds of successfully treating the condition in its early stages. By catching abnormalities as soon as possible, patients can enjoy more straightforward treatment plans and lower healthcare costs. That’s exactly the type of world-class care that BLVD Dentistry & Orthodontics provides patients in Houston. With a contemporary patient-centered philosophy and cutting-edge technology, they’re committed to helping their patients maintain their health and wellness for a lifetime.
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