Bloomsburg, Danville, and Lewisburg, PA
The fact that tobacco products are a danger to our health is no surprise. For years, research has linked the use of tobacco to cancers, emphysema, strokes, heart attacks, and other health-related diseases, but what about electronic cigarettes (e-cigs)?
It is a common misconception that smokeless tobacco is a safer alternative. The truth is, even e-cigs pose a threat to your oral health. Research reveals that there are half a million new cases of oral cancer detected each year, and when it comes to survival rate, early detection is vital.
Oral cancer screenings are an easy, effective way to detect oral cancer. In fact, oral cancer screenings should be part of everyone’s routine dental checkup. To perform an oral cancer screening, the dental professional will conduct a visual inspection of your mouth, and may also use a special light to detect abnormal cell development. Any areas of concern should be biopsied and sent for testing. These oral cancer screenings are essential because symptoms of oral cancer do not show up until the later stages when it may be too late for treatment.
In between your visits, you should be aware of what oral cancer can look like in the early stages. Look for any notice lesions, white or red patches, or sore areas that do not appear to heal, inside your mouth and around your lips. If you have any unexplained numbness, pain, or tender areas in the mouth or lips, contact the dentist immediately and schedule an oral cancer screening. Difficulty swallowing, speaking, or eating could be an indication of oral cancer, which also develops under the jawbone and around the neck area.
Many of these symptoms are not painful in the early stages of oral cancer. Therefore, it is important to receive oral cancer screenings during your routine dental visits. To schedule an appointment, contact Hamilton Dental Care today at (570) 387-0533.
Hamilton Dental Care is proud to provide oral care to patients in the areas of Bloomsburg, Danville, and Lewisburg, PA.
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