Why Is It Important To Have An Oral Cancer Exam?

Oral cancer is a common type of cancer that can affect the mouth, lips, tongue, or throat. Approximately three Canadians die each day from oral cancer, and new cases are growing the fastest for young men and women who don’t have typical risk factors. It’s important to have an oral cancer screening at Waterloo Smiles for the following reasons:

You’ll learn how to minimize your risk for oral cancer.

Dr. Husain will talk with you about ways to minimize your risk for developing oral cancer. These include quitting the use of tobacco, having good oral hygiene habits, quitting or reducing your alcohol use, visiting the dentist for regular checkups and cleanings, and eating a healthy diet.

The earlier oral cancer is detected and treated, the better.

In general, the earlier oral cancer is diagnosed and treated, the better the outcome will be. This type of cancer often responds well to treatment, especially if it’s detected at an early stage. If it’s detected early, oral cancer’s five-year survival rate is about 80-85%, but if it’s found late, the survival rate drops to about 30%. Oral cancer is sometimes detected only after it has spread to the lymph nodes in the neck or in a more remote location such as the lungs. It becomes harder to treat if it spreads to other parts of the body.

Technology has made the early detection of oral cancer more accurate.

Our dental staff will perform an exam using their eyes and hands to check for any abnormalities in your head, neck, and oral cavity. Afterward, a VELscope can be used to try to detect anything missed with the regular exam. A VELscope exam takes under a minute to do and is non-invasive and pain-free. It emits specific wavelengths of blue spectrum light into your mouth, which can help your dentist find abnormal tissue that was undetected in your regular exam. The technology is used millions of times each year throughout the world with a proven record of success.

Receiving an oral cancer screening at Waterloo Smiles is an important part of maintaining your oral health. And with technology provided by the VELscope, detecting oral cancer is more accurate than ever. Book your appointment today and gain the confidence of having a clear bill of health.

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(519) 888-6063
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