Though the biggest concern for your smile might appear to be the common development of tooth decay and infection, the truth of the matter is that there are many more factors that can also impact your health. What’s more? Some of them – such as the foods you eat and the level of preventive care you practice – may affect your grin in more ways than you think. It is for these reasons that your dentist recommends attending a routine appointment. In today’s blog, your Leawood, KS dentist takes a look at the development of oral cancer and explains why we check for it during your six-month visit.
It Can Affect Anyone
While oral cancer is a phenomenon that most patients believe they do not need to worry about if they do not regularly use tobacco products, the truth of the matter is that it can affect anyone. Indeed, it does not matter your age or if you have never picked up a cigarette in your life, you face the possibility of developing the concern.
Oral cancer is a phenomenon that affects tissues and structures relevant to the oral cavity. These can include your throat, lips, cheeks, and tongue. Further, it is characterized by mutated cells that continue to grow and become larger without indication of stopping.
Indeed, oral cancer can reveal itself in a variety of ways, including rough red or white patches in the mouth, wounds that do not heal, alarmingly loose teeth, and more. If you suspect you have developed this concern or want to schedule your visit to check, give our team a call today.
Part of Your Checkup
Typically, we perform an oral cancer screening during your routine checkup once every six months. This process often occurs after your exam and before your cleaning, and consists of an examination of your lips, tongue, cheeks, throat, and other tissues for signs of metastasizing and harm.
Though there is no way to completely prevent this phenomenon from developing, there are a few items to consider that increase one’s chances of developing it. For instance, the use of tobacco products, excessive alcohol consumption, excessive exposure to the sun, and contraction of the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) all lead to increased chances of development. For more information about this process, reach out to our team today.
Things to Keep in Mind
Your oral health can be affected by a variety of factors, and as such, it is important that you stay on top of your preventive care at home and attend in-office checkups at least twice a year. Further, refraining from tobacco use, alcohol consumption, and taking precautions to protect from the sun’s harmful rays can help you.
Schedule Your Visit
For more information about the need for oral cancer screenings, contact Dreem Dentistry in Leawood, KS by calling 913-681-5500 and schedule your next appointment with our team today.
