According to the American Dental Association, some 42,000 Americans will be diagnosed with oral cancer this year. The five-year survival rate for those who are told that they have oral cancer is slightly more than 64 percent. Fortunately, there is something you can do to avoid the ravages of this disease: have an oral cancer screening. The Oral Cancer Foundation has designated April as Oral Cancer Awareness Month, so there’s no better time than now to come to Hill Avenue Dental in Superior, WI, for an oral cancer screening.
During each of your biannual dental checkups, Dr. Doug Clark, Jr. or Dr. Doug Clark III will visually examine your entire oral cavity from the tip of your tongue to the back of your throat for the early signs of oral cancer. These include:
- A sore or ulcer that does not heal within two to three weeks
- A red, white or even blackish colored patch
- A swelling or lump that is in the tissue or raised above the tissue
- An area in the mouth or on the lips that feels numb
- A spot that bleeds when touched
- A persistent sore throat, raspy voice or cough
- Painful swallowing
- A long-lasting earache with no sign of infection
Preventing Oral Cancer
When you come to Hill Avenue Dental for your regularly scheduled dental checkup, our dentists will conduct an oral cancer screening and talk to you about your health history to determine if you are at greater risk. Research has shown that a number of factors contribute to the development of oral cancer. People who smoke or drink excessive amounts of alcohol, especially those who are older than 50 years old, are at greater risk. Additionally, the human papilloma virus (HPV) has been connected to oral cancer. In non-smoking adults, HPV may be related to the growing number of throat cancers.
Schedule an Appointment Today
Call the office of Hill Avenue Dental to schedule your dental checkup and oral cancer screening. The saying is cliché, but the life you save may be your own. We serve patients in Superior, WI, as well as from Duluth, Douglas County, Northern Wisconsin and Northeastern Minnesota.
The answer to this question is not a straightforward yes or no. The result of some research does indicate that this may be a possibility, but more research is still necessary to reach a consensus. However, a recent study published in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, adds further credence to the hypothesis that poor oral health can negatively affect those who struggle with cognitive or memory disorders. Simply put, visiting a dentist for regular dental checkups may slow the progress of cognitive decline.