Our dental office is not only dedicated to your smile, we’re also dedicated to your overall wellness. We take a preventive-based approach to your dental care, which includes an oral cancer screening as a part of your regular exam. Like any kind of cancer, oral cancer can be life threatening if not diagnosed and treated early. The most important factor in the early diagnosis of oral cancer is routine screenings through our dental office in Marietta, GA
Oral cancer makes up about 3% of cancers diagnosed in the US every year. It includes cancers found in the lips, cheeks, tongue, palate, throat and sinuses. As with most types of cancer, it can affect anyone but there are groups that are at higher risk from developing oral cancer.
The most common oral cancer risk factors include:
However, 40 percent of oral cancers are found in patients who do not present with any of the traditional risk factors or any other significant lifestyle risks. This means that even if you don’t have any risk factors for oral cancer, you could still develop it. If you’re wondering about where to get oral cancer screening near you and you are in the Marietta or Kennesaw, GA area, make an appointment with the friendly team at Kenmar Dental.
OralID keeps us a step ahead of cancer with proven, optically based fluorescence technology in a hand-held device. OralID’s fluorescence light source allows us to see any irregularities in your lips, mouth, tongue, and throat that may have been missed under normal incandescent light. During your oral exam, we will use OralID to look for abnormal tissue. With OralID, we can identify and evaluate abnormalities in your mouth, such as suspicious oral lesions, precancerous cells, and cancer that may be difficult to see during a regular visual exam.
During your oral cancer screening, your Marietta dentist will conduct a check for any lumps or irregular tissue in your neck, head and mouth. They will also use the fluorescence of the OralID light which can pinpoint areas of abnormal tissue in the oral cavity. This can help detect early signs of oral cancer when it can be most effectively treated.
The most common signs of oral cancer are:
If you are in the Marietta area and have any questions or concerns about oral cancer, contact Kenmar Dental and schedule an appointment today.
There are some preventive measures you can put in place to lower your risk for developing mouth or oral cancer.
Remember, early detection of oral cancer can improve the chance of successful treatment. Ask us about OralID oral cancer screening at your next appointment!
