Oral Cancer Screening and Early Detection

Oral cancer is a terrible disease that is hard to treat once it has progressed too far. That is why early detection is extremely important. At Coshocton Dentistry, we offer oral cancer screenings with each of our oral health checkups.  

Risk Factors of Oral Cancer

Some of the risk factors for oral cancer include the use of tobacco products and alcohol. In fact, tobacco and alcohol are involved in over 80% of oral cancer cases. While other cases could be from generics and so on. 

Newer research has determined a connection between Human Papillomavirus (HPV) and oral cancer. There are vaccines for HPV that could help protect you from not only HPV but also oral cancer.

Diagnostic Processes 

Routine oral health checks are important for the early detection of oral cancer. When you come in for a checkup, we can keep an eye on anything we think looks suspicious. We check your gums, tongue, and roof of your mouth for any lesions. 

If we do find anything suspicious, we will take a further look with 3D-imaging. Most of the time, what we find is benign, but it is better to err on the side of caution and refer you for a biopsy with a specialist. 

If you have not had a dental checkup recently, it is important not just for the health of your teeth and gums but also because regular visits to your dentist can help save you from oral cancer. Early detection is key, and at Coshocton Dentistry, we provide oral cancer screenings with every checkup. Contact us today to schedule your appointment.