An Oral Cancer Screening Can Save Your Life!

April is Oral Cancer Awareness Month, and if you haven't done so already, it's time for an exam and oral cancer screening at the office of Ahwatukee Dentistry.

According to the American Cancer Society, more than 50,000 adults across the United States alone will be diagnosed with oral or oropharyngeal cancer this year, and close to 10,000 people will succumb to it. While the numbers sound shocking, every hour of each day, oral cancer takes a life.

The importance of early detection

The good news is with early detection and treatment, the prognosis and survival rate for oral cancer patients dramatically improves. For this reason, one of the essential preventive care services your dentist can provide is screening for oral cancer. A dental checkup offers more than an opportunity to evaluate the health of your teeth, gums, and jaw function. It also enables the dentist to perform a head and neck exam and evaluate the tissues in the mouth for any suspicious lesions or pathology. 

Because many signs and symptoms of oral cancer mimic lesions that often go away on their own or are painless, many people remain unaware of its presence. 

Some of the signs and symptoms of oral cancer include:

• Mouth ulcers or sores that do not heal
• Lumps or thickened areas
• Red or white patches 
• Persistent swelling of unknown origin
• Pain when swallowing, a painful tongue, or a continuing ear or neck ache  
• A constant feeling that something is stuck in the throat
• Tenderness or numbness in the mouth or lips
• Loose teeth
• Jaw pain or stiffness

VELscope® Oral Screening

At the office of Ahwatukee Dentistry, we provide care that supports a healthy smile and whole-body wellness. As part of your comprehensive checkup exam, we also perform an oral cancer screening. 

In addition to palpating your jaw and neck and performing a visual inspection of the tissues in and around the mouth, we also quickly and painlessly scan the oral mucosa using a handheld VELscope® device. As we illuminate each targeted area with VELscope’s bright blue light, we can readily distinguish healthy tissue from lesions or spots that indicate pre-cancerous changes or oral cancer. 

By taking small steps, you can protect your health in a big way.

Remember, when it comes to protecting your health, it's essential to be proactive. To schedule an exam and oral cancer screening, give us a call today. 

By Ahwatukee Dentistry, PLLC

April 15, 2021