Keep up on oral cancer screenings with regularly scheduled dental evaluations.

Staley Dental, your local Boise, Idaho dentist, can make sure you are prioritizing your oral health by screening for oral cancer during your biannual dental evaluation. Why is an oral cancer screening important? According to the American Cancer Society, there are more than 55,000 new cases of this type of cancer annually, and nearly 12,000 deaths from oral cancer every year.

While those numbers don’t seem like a lot, any chance to limit cancer spreading throughout the body or avoiding an unnecessary death from cancer is important to those in the dental field. That is why the team at Staley Dental makes sure to screen each of their patients when they come in for an appointment.

What goes into an oral cancer screening?

An oral cancer screening is quick and painless and can be done during a routine dental evaluation. Your dentist will perform a visual evaluation and look for any discoloration or changes to your teeth, gums, tongue, and jaw. Your dentist will also feel your face, neck, and jaw to see if there are any abnormal bumps or lumps that should be looked at more closely.

The dentist may also use a laser to examine your mouth. The laser can highlight and identify any areas of concern that can’t be seen with the naked eye. If your dentist finds any abnormalities in your mouth or jaw, they will discuss a plan of treatment with you.

What are the risk factors for oral cancers?

One of the largest risk factors for oral cancer is tobacco products. Those who smoke or chew tobacco are more than twice as likely to develop this type of cancer during their lifetime than nonsmokers. Pipe smokers are more likely to develop cancer in the parts of their mouth where the pipe touches.

While there is no conclusive evidence about those exposed to secondhand smoke, some studies have found that those who are exposed to secondhand smoke throughout their lives have an elevated chance of developing oral cancer in their lifetime versus those who haven’t been exposed to secondhand smoke.

Alcohol use is also a risk factor for oral cancer, and some studies suggest that people who smoke and consume alcohol, especially at high rates, are up to 30 times more likely to develop this type of cancer in their lifetimes.

Those who have an HPV, or human papillomavirus, infection, or exposure are also at a higher risk for oropharynx cancers, which are cancers of the tonsil and tongue. The DNA from HPV has been found in two out of three oropharyngeal cancers in those who have been studied. Oral cancers related to HPV have increased in young people over the years, and scientists believe that is because this group of people tends to have multiple sexual partners with whom they engage in oral sex.

While these are just some of the risk factors of oral cancer, it is possible for someone who is not a drinker or smoker or involved with multiple sexual partners to be diagnosed with this type of cancer.

Why you should prioritize regular oral cancer screenings.

One of the main reasons you should be prioritizing oral cancer screenings during your biannual dental evaluation at Staley Dental is that early detection is key. Just like with other forms of cancer, if your cancer is detected early, the odds of beating it are higher. If you are a high-risk individual, meaning you use tobacco products or alcohol, regular screening for this type of cancer can allow your dentist to catch any abnormalities in your mouth, gums, jaw, and throat that might lead to an oral cancer diagnosis.

Oral cancer can also develop without any noticeable symptoms, which is another reason why you should have your dental professional screen you for this type of cancer every time you come in for an appointment.

Be proactive and schedule your biannual dental evaluation today!

Take control of your destiny and call Staley Dental today to schedule your biannual dental evaluation and mention to our team that you are interested in having an oral cancer screening done during your appointment. Our team will be happy to perform an oral cancer screening, and we’ll be able to answer any questions or address any concerns you may have about this type of cancer. If you participate in high-risk activities, like smoking tobacco products, make sure you let our team know so we can pay close attention to any abnormalities we may find.