Routine dental exams screen for more than cavities, gum disease and bite problems. While these are important, critical, too, is the fast and comfortable oral cancer screening performed by Doctors Clarine Hightower and Yumma Valiulla, Bowie, MD dentists at Ambiance Dental Spa.
Your overall health and very life are nothing to be casual about. As such, your Bowie general dentists include a visual inspection of each and every patient’s mouth, carefully screening for signs of oral cancer.
Deadly in nature, oral cancer is easily spotted by a 20720 dentist
According to the Oral Cancer Foundation, oral cancer kills about 8,700 individuals every year in the United States. The 5-year survival rate hovers around 50 percent. It is no surprise that areas of the country which have higher tobacco use rates–either smoking or chewing–have higher rates of oral cancer.
In addition, the Centers for Disease control say that the states of Delaware, Maryland and Virginia rank #37, #20 and #4 respectively in rates of diagnosis for oral cancer. For Maryland, the home state of Ambiance Dental Spa, that means 2.5 people out of 100,000 get this deadly disease annually.
Who gets oral cancer?
Of course, tobacco users get oral cancer more than any other segment of the adult population. Additional factors are gender and age. Males seem more susceptible, and people between the ages of 60 and 70 develop more cancerous lesions than any other age group, says the National Institute of Dental & Craniofacial Research. Alcohol abuse and excessive sun exposure also play a role in this disease, and research shows some linkage between advanced gum disease and oral cancer, especially of the tongue.
What does it look like?
Oral cancers appear in a variety of ways. Because looks are so deceiving, it’s best to check any spot or bump you are concerned about with your Bowie, MD dentist.
In general, however, oral cancer can exhibit these, and other symptoms:
- bumps, crusts or white/red patches on the lips, tongue, palate, back of throat
- problems chewing and speaking
- hoarseness
- persistent sore throat
- ear pain
- weight loss
Keeping ahead of oral cancer
The best way to keep ahead of oral cancer is to stay tobacco-free and to get regular oral cancer screenings with your Bowie, MD general dentists. Dr. Hightower and Dr. Valiumma will visually inspect your mouth and also gently feel the lymph nodes in your neck and jaw area. Done in just a couple of minutes with your semi-annual exam and hygienic cleanings, oral cancer screenings are terrific weapons in the war on cancer.
Your oral health is their priority
Consult the professional team at Ambiance Dental Spa for all your dental services. The office environment is relaxing and caring as the doctors and staff deliver state of the art preventive, restorative and cosmetic dental care to patients of all ages. Don’t put off your routine appointment. Contact Ambiance Dental Spa today.