Oral cancer screenings are a very important part of the dental visit for the patient. With the advances in modern technology, we are now able to pinpoint the start of a potential problem much earlier in its evolution. The ability to do so is extremely important in being able to treat any issues prior to them becoming a major irreversible problem.
The oral cancer screening is often completed with an ultraviolet light or similar device that allows us to view issues that can't always be detected by the human eye under normal conditions.
Early detection of oral cancer may offer more favorable treatment outcomes and could even help you or a loved one from succumbing to a disease that has taken many lives. Those who are diagnosed with oral cancer and given a 5-year survival rate is successful at approximately 60 percent. Oral cancer can usually be treated when detected early, in most cases however, oral cancer is not detected until they have progressed into a much more severe and advanced stage.
Certain lifestyle choices can have a great impact on the health of tissues and your overall health in the mouth. If you are a smoker or heavy drinker, make sure to get regular screenings when you visit the dentist.