It is important to know when to visit your general dentist for an oral cancer screening. While screenings do not prevent the development of oral cancer, it allows the patient to mentally prepare and start treatment as early as possible.
There are certain risk factors that prompt a visit to the general dentist specifically for an oral cancer screening and to discuss the possibility of oral cancer in greater depth. The following are four common risk factors that have a correlation with the onset of oral cancer.
Men are twice as likely to develop oral cancer than women. Additionally, the average age of oral cancer is over 60 years old, so older men are more at risk than other groups. As such, it is encouraged for men who are older to receive annual check-up visits with their general dentist for an oral cancer screening, especially those who are at risk of oral cancer for other reasons as well.
One of the reasons men are more likely to develop oral cancer than women is likely because more men use tobacco regularly than women. Those who consume tobacco on a regular basis either through chewing tobacco, smoking cigarettes or using any other form are far more likely to develop oral cancer than those who do not. Additionally, there seems to be a correlation between those who drink regularly and oral cancer. Therefore, those who consume tobacco or alcohol regularly should visit the general dentist for an oral cancer screening.
There also seems to be a fairly strong link between increased sun exposure and oral cancer. This means that those who work outside or spend time in outdoor environments for other reasons may have a higher risk of developing oral cancer. Additionally, heavy use of tanning beds is considered as a risk factor by many general dentists. It is helpful to visit the general dentist for an oral cancer screening and to discuss ways to minimize sun exposure.
It is also helpful to become familiar with the symptoms of oral cancer as well. Several common early signs include:
If any of these symptoms develop and last for an extended period of time, then it is encouraged to talk to your general dentist about oral cancer. The symptoms alone likely need treatment as well, which the general dentist can provide during the oral cancer screening visit.
If you are interested in learning more about the risk factors and symptoms of oral cancer from a general dentist, then reach out to us today. We can schedule a time for you to come in for a visit to discuss oral cancer and ways to minimize risk moving forward.
Request an appointment here: https://smilesdental.com or call Smiles Dental Care at (650) 563-1180 for an appointment in our Mountain View office.
Check out what others are saying about our services on Yelp: Read our Yelp reviews.
A general dentist shared some ways to help prevent bad breath. This is a topic no one wants to discuss. Bad breath happens to everyone at one point or another. If you take proper precautions, you can avoid having bad breath. We should openly talk about this taboo topic. The more we talk about it, the…
One aim of general dentistry is to make the patient’s experience as positive as possible. A dentist who is good at their job will achieve this feat in two ways. First, they will use proactive, preventative measures that keep intensive procedures to a minimum. Second, the dentist will use every tool at their disposal to…
A broken tooth is a common dental issue that fills most people with dread, especially when the crack is near the front of the mouth. Front teeth fractures are quite common among children, teenagers, and young adults. Fortunately, a dentist can recommend various repair or replacement options for damaged front teeth to help patients resume…
A restorative dentist is exactly who you need to talk to if you have missing teeth. Losing a tooth can be a worrisome experience as you realize your smile has been permanently changed. Fortunately, there are many missing tooth replacement options these days thanks to the countless dental innovations that have occurred in the past…
If you are unhappy with the appearance of your teeth, cosmetic dental services can be a game-changer. These treatments go beyond just improving aesthetics; they can enhance both your oral health and smile quality. If you are still on the fence about receiving a cosmetic dental service, here are six reasons to take the first…
Tooth and gum contouring are popular cosmetic dental services that reshape the smile. They achieve this through two different approaches, however. One involves reshaping the appearance of the teeth, while the other corrects gummy smiles. In other words, they correct cosmetic imperfections for good oral health patients.Tooth contouring is a painless procedure in which a…