Did you know that a ten-minute oral cancer screening could save your life? When detected early, oral cancer is very treatable and has a high success rate. The problem is that most people neglect to visit the dentist every six months for an oral health exam. Don’t be one of them!

Dr. Richard Hardt is passionate about helping patients of all ages gain and maintain healthy smiles. Oral cancer screenings are a major part of that process. If it’s been more than six months since your last dental appointment, contact our Porterville, CA dentist today to schedule your appointment.

Here are seven facts about oral cancer than may surprise you:

1.  Men are more likely to develop oral cancer than women. 

Studies show that men are two times more likely to develop oral cancer. Though we don’t know exactly why this is, many speculate it is because men typically smoke and drink more than women. According to the NYU Oral Cancer Center, roughly 80% of people with oral cancer are heavy smokers, and 70% of oral cancer patients are heavy drinkers.

Our advice? Quit smoking and limit drinking to special occasions.

2.  25% of people diagnosed with oral cancer did not have any risk factors.

Oral cancer risk factors include:

• Tobacco use
• Heavy alcohol use
• Having HPV
• Excessive sun exposure to the lips
• A weak immune system

However, you could develop oral cancer even if you don’t have any of these risk factors.

3.  Oral cancer kills roughly one person per hour.

That’s nearly 10,000 deaths per year from oral cancer. The death rate of those with oral cancer is higher than other cancers that are routinely checked at doctor’s appointments, like cervical cancer, Hodgkin’s lymphoma, and laryngeal cancer.

4.  Adults over 40 make up 95% of oral cancer cases.

If you’re over 40, have any of the risk factors listed above, and have a history of cancer in your family, it is imperative that you visit the dentist every six months for oral cancer screenings.

5.  Some symptoms are obvious.

Ulcers and lumps in the mouth that won’t go away are two of the most obvious symptoms of oral cancer. Other oral cancer symptoms include:

• Loose teeth
• Bleeding sores
• A sore throat
• Tongue or jaw pain
• Difficulty swallowing

If you have any of these symptoms, schedule an appointment with our Porterville, CA, dentist today.

6.  Early diagnosis can double your chances of survival.

Dentists can detect early signs of oral cancer during a routine dental exam. If there are symptoms of oral cancer, the dentist will recommend a biopsy to send for advanced testing. The biopsy can confirm a cancer diagnosis and determine how far the cancer has developed.

Schedule Your Oral Cancer Screening

You matter. Your health matters. An oral cancer screening could save your life; don’t put it off any longer.

Our team at Richard Hardt, D.D.S. Family Dentistry offers comprehensive, compassionate dental care to patients of all ages. To schedule your oral cancer screening, contact our office today at (559) 784-6523.