Oral cancer is scary. However, the sooner we catch it, the more treatable it is. To learn more about early detection and the importance of routine screenings, keep reading.
Catching Oral Cancer Early
According to the Oral Cancer Foundation, somewhere around 53,000 cases of oral cancer are diagnosed each year. The success of treatment and survival rate is unique to each case and often depends on when the cancer was discovered. In fact, studies show that the survival rate for early detections is 90%.
Signs of Oral Cancer
Since it’s important to spot oral cancer early, you’ll want to know what to watch for. Signs include mouth pain, mouth sores that won’t heal, lump or bump in the mouth, throat pain, voice changes, and more. If you notice any of these changes, be sure to bring them up with your dentist right away. When it comes to something this serious, it’s better to be safe than sorry. If something feels off, or if you have any questions, you can always call our office to access our expert advice!
The Importance of Routine Cleanings & Exams
The best way to spot oral cancer is by keeping up with your biannual dental cleaning and exam. In addition to all of the other great benefits of a routine visit, your dentist will screen you for oral cancer. They know just what to look for, so this is your best bet to catch the potentially deadly disease early.
Dentistry You Can Trust in Helotes, Texas
Here at Helotes Family Dentistry, you can trust our team to keep you and your family healthy. Now that you understand the importance of your biannual cleaning and exam, it’s time to ensure you have one scheduled for yourself and all the members of your family! Don’t have a visit in the books? We’ll be back in the office as soon as it is safe to do so and we look forward to seeing you again.
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