Oral Cancer

According to the Academy of General Dentistry (AGD), approximately 54,000 Americans are expected to be diagnosed with oral or oropharyngeal cancer this year.  The AGD reports that the death rate of this cancer is particularly high, not because it is difficult o treat, but because it is often detected at a late or advanced stage.  The dentists at Spring Lake Dental Group provide routine oral cancer screenings for patients at their hygiene recare visits.  Risk factors for oral cancer include tobacco use, alcohol use, sun exposure (lips), previous head and neck cancer diagnosis and human papilloma virus (HPV) infection.  If you notice changes in your mouth such as sores that bleed easily or don’t heal, lumps, crusty or eroded areas, difficulty swallowing, chewing, speaking, or moving the jaw or tongue, please let us know.  We are here for you!

*Information in this article relating to oral cancer was obtained from the Academy of General Dentistry.