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Expertise
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Your visit to the dentist can be a lifesaver. Ask our dentist about the preventable disease that kills more people nationwide than either skin cancer or cervical cancer.
The Good News About Oral Cancer and Oral Lesions
Fortunately, most oral “sores” or “lesions” are not harmful. But a small number are dangerous and if not identified early, they may progress to a more advanced stage.
When oral cancer is detected early by your dentist, it can be completely cured.
Oral cancer is a devastating disease when detected in its later stages. Late stage treatment usually involves major facial surgery with only half of such patients surviving past five years. Therefore, it is important to see your dentist regularly so that dangerous oral lesions can be detected at an early, easily curable stage.
Regular dental checkups, which include an examination of the entire mouth, are essential in the early detection of both cancerous and precancerous conditions. A person may have a dangerous oral lesion and not be aware of it.
Your dentist now has a quick and painless test that can accurately identify which oral lesions need further treatment.
Reassurance
In the majority of cases, the sample obtained will be normal, reassuring you and the dentist that the oral lesion does not contain precancerous or cancerous cells. Your dentist may need to retest your lesion periodically if it persists or changes.
When abnormal cells are identified by the OralCDx test, your dentist will direct you for further testing. Rest assured that both you and your dentist have taken the right first step to detect oral cancer early – when it can be easily and completely cured.
Some Facts About Oral Cancer
Oral cancer occurs more often in those who use tobacco in any form including: cigarettes, chewing tobacco, pipes and cigars; or those who consume large amounts of alcohol. But oral cancer can and does develop in people of all ages, races and lifestyle habits. Over 25% of oral cancers occur in people who do not smoke and who only drink alcohol socially.
An oral lesion may be a persistent sore or irritation, a small, flat, red or white patch, or a growth, lump, thickening, rough spot, crust, or irritated area. It is often painless and you may not be aware of it. Because many oral lesions are flat, very small, or in an area of your mouth that you cannot see, they can often only be detected during a periodic oral examination by your dentist.
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