Dentists are often the first line of defense against oral cancer, through the process of early discovery. Yes, your dentist is the one who regularly checks you for Oral Cancer rather than your medical doctor.
Recently, the Journal of American Medical Association made it even more obvious that you need to schedule a dental appointment with Dr. Korenman of Loveable Smiles in Richardson.
Almost half of the deaths caused by cancers of the oral cavity and pharynx in U.S. adults 35 and older in 2011 were attributable to cigarette smoking, according to a multi-institution research letter published in JAMA Internal Medicine
Other Cancer types known to be caused by smoking include cancer of the liver, colon and rectum, lung. oral cavity and throat, esophagus, larynx (voice box), stomach, pancreas, bladder, kidney and cervix and acute myeloid leukemia.
Like we said, the good news is that dentists help find cancer at its earliest stage, when the chances for successful treatment are highest.
And, despite these alarming statistics, and these smoking risk factors, EVERYONE is at risk for Oral Cancer.
Oral Cancer is no longer a disease of older people, contracted after a lifetime of smoking and drinking. Dr. Korenman is seeing an increase in young people with mouth cancer.
Oral Cancer screenings at Loveable Smiles in Richardson take less than 15 minutes.
Dr. Korenman, uses the Vizilite Oral Cancer Screening which uses a light source that is used to identify abnormalities that may have been missed under normal lighting that could be pre-cancerous or cancerous.
Additionally, the Oral Cancer screening includes the following:
- Check for any discolorations (red spots, white spots, ulcers etc) and/or abnormal lumps around the oral tissues (cheeks, hard palate, tongue, floor of the mouth, back of throat etc), face and neck.
- Palpitate/massage the neck (thyroid) to check for any abnormal lumps.
Call Loveable Smiles in Richardson for your Oral Cancer screening. The entire process takes less than 15 minutes. 972-231-0585