Spring is in the air! While you are spring cleaning your home don’t forget your mouth needs regular professional cleanings too. Routine dental cleanings give your dentist and hygienist an opportunity to find problems while they are small and easier to treat. This not only includes checking for cavities and gum disease but also screening for oral cancer.
The American Cancer Society reported in 2022 that the lifetime risk of developing oral cavity and oropharyngeal cancer is: about 1 in 60 for men and 1 in 140 for women with the average age of diagnosis at 63 and about 20% occurring in patients younger than 55. Those numbers are scary, but the screening is not! When oral cancer is diagnosed at an early stage, the survival rate is significantly improved.
This year for Oral Cancer Awareness Month our office is offering FREE screenings every Wednesday during the month of April. All screenings will be performed by utilizing our Identafi Oral Mucosal Visual Enhancement System, which is quick, easy and painless. Call (901) 767-4882 to reserve your appointment.
We look forward to seeing you soon!
Melissa Roberts, RDH
For more information on oral cancer risk factors and statistics visit: https://www.cancer.org/cancer/oral-cavity-and-oropharyngeal-cancer/causes-risks-prevention/risk-factors.html or https://oralcancerfoundation.org/facts/
