Am I At Risk For Oral Cancer?

One in four cancers are found in the mouth. While there are factors that increase your chances, in reality anyone, smoker or non-smoker, wine taster or tee-totaler, adult or child can be at risk.

"That's why your dentist and/or dental hygienist does an oral cancer screening each time you come in for a visit," Dr. Judith Ko says from her Hemet, California dental practice. "We know that by early detection we can reduce the other statistic associated with oral cancer - the one that says most oral cancer patients will survive less than five years after diagnosis."

 The oral cancer screening is a relatively easy process. It generally includes your practitioner palpating your face and neck. "They will also have you stick out your tongue, so they can look at it and under it," Dr. Ko adds. Finally, all other soft tissue will be examined. Finally, dental x-rays may be taken to see any defects in the bone that have gone unnoticed.

When oral cancer is found early, the prognosis is many times great. One more reason to see your dentist on a regular basis!