Oral Cancer Screenings in South Hadley, MA
One part of the top-tier dental care you’ll receive from our dentist near you is to provide a visual oral cancer screening as a part of every dental exam and teeth cleaning appointment. Why is this such an important benefit? Because oral cancer in individuals who do not smoke has been on the increase in recent years. If you’re unfamiliar with how oral cancer can affect you and your family, please keep reading to learn more about why this type of screening can help save your life or the life of someone you love.
Our Dentist in South Hadley Can Recognize Early Signs of Oral Cancer
Although smoking and alcohol use can increase the likelihood of developing oral cancer by as much as 100 percent according to certain studies, they are not the only factors that can contribute to the condition. Other factors that can factor in your need for oral cancer screening near you include sun exposure, genetics, exposure to the HPV-16 virus, and being over 40 years of age.
Our dentist at South Hadley Dental Group has received advanced training to detect the early signs of oral cancer so the condition can be identified and patients can benefit from early treatment.
Symptoms that you may notice at home include a sore throat that doesn’t clear up, numbness or swelling in your jaw area, chronic hoarseness, and a sore on the inside of your mouth (including your gums) that doesn’t heal on its own within two weeks. While some of these symptoms could be an indication of other conditions such as gum disease or a dental abscess, they are also indications that an oral cancer screening from our dentist in South Hadley should be performed.
Make an Appointment Today for Oral Cancer Screening Near You
Two final points to consider regarding the importance of oral cancer screening near you are that mouth cancer rates are on the rise. In women, there has been a 33 percent increase in the past ten years (ranking as the 15th most common type of cancer in females), and in men, there has been a 32 percent increase in the past ten years (ranking as the 10th most common type of cancer in males).