It is not uncommon to associate a trip to the dentist with scheduled cleanings, instruction on proper flossing, and the occasional tooth cavity filling. You might not realize it, but your dentist and often your hygienist are additionally performing one other very important service. They are diligently scanning for the early signs of oral cancer.
The actual cause of oral cancer is difficult to determine but will involve a mutation of the DNA. Oral cancer is commonly correlated (up to 75% of all occurrences) with a history of smoking and tobacco products. The harmful toxins within tobacco and tobacco containing products, the heat of the smoke, and the byproducts of the burning process are recognized to inflame and cause oral cancer in the mucous membranes of the mouth.
One more high-risk factor linked with oral cancer is alcohol or use of alcohol containing products. Frequent and prolonged contact with alcohol, especially when put together with cigarettes and other tobacco products has been shown to cause higher than normal oral cancer risk. The utilization of alcohol containing mouthwash is also a risk factor.
Even if you’re not a habitual smoker or drinker, you’re still at risk. Somewhere around 25% of patients who come down with oral cancer don’t have any known risk factors. Consequently, it is important that everyone receive a biannual or yearly oral cancer screening.
The great thing is you are already receiving these screenings if you are going to your dentist on a consistent basis. Early discovery is crucial. Ordinarily your hygienist would be the first one to scan for and notice irregularities. He or she will notify the dentist who can then conduct a more comprehensive examination.
You want to do your part and inform your dentist about any recent changes in your oral health or atypical sensations in your throat and mouth. Remember to discuss any tenderness, discoloration, sores that won’t heal, or numbness which you have suffered from in the past few weeks or months. Additionally, talk about lumps, any abnormal sensations such as tenderness or the sensation that something is stuck in your throat.
An oral cancer exam usually takes 3 to 5 minutes. The screening generally entails a visual and tactile examination of the inside of your mouth as well as in the areas in your neck and below your chin. Newer technology, such as special light and dyes help make these tests quicker and far more precise. Make it a point to ask your dentist which technology he or she employs and make certain to have a blunt chat about your risk factors.
One of the leading technologies for the early detection of oral cancer is the Velscope. My preferred Flagstaff dentist incorporates this device into his practice. The Velscope is a diagnostic tool which uses special wavelengths of blue light to cause natural florescence in the soft tissues of the mouth. By analyzing the resulting color patterns, your dentist can quickly spot areas for further investigation.