You know already how important it is to have regular dental checkups. These checkups can help you keep a bright, healthy smile while also checking for early dental problems. Did you know that your regular dental checkups can also save your life? Part of your dental checkup typically includes oral cancer screening with the process. It is very important that you ask your dentist to do this if they do not already do it during the exam. Here at Perdido Bay Dental, we include oral cancer screening with each patient and there’s a very good reason for that.

Early screening and detection is critical in making sure that you catch any signs of cancer or pre-cancer cells early on. Here are a few reasons that we offer this as a service for our patients and why it is so very important.

Early Detection Means a Cure

According to statistics, 84% of oral cancer can be detected by your dentist during your regular checkups. There are different exam procedures that are done in the process and when it is detected early on, it can respond well to treatment. That means the earlier you catch it, the more likely you are to have it cured rather than have it spread to other parts of your body.

It has successfully been treated in many cases because of the fact that it was caught earlier rather than later.

Gives You a Fighting Chance

If you know that you have any of the risk factors below, it helps you to have a fighting chance should cancer become an issue. Take a look at the risk factors here and see if any of them apply to your situation. If so, it is even more critical that you include these screenings on a regular basis. The risk factors include:

  • People who are over 40 are at a higher risk
  • If you smoke or use tobacco products, it raises your risk
  • Using alcohol quite heavily over time
  • Unhealthy diet
  • HPV or the human papillomavirus can also raise your risk factors
  • Having prolonged exposure to the sun
  • Your gender also plays a role as men are more susceptible than women

Get Screened Today

If you have not had your regular oral cancer screening, it’s time to get yours scheduled today. You can reduce the risk of the cancer spreading into other areas and also increase your chances of it being cured with treatment. The sooner any precancerous or cancerous cells are detected, the better your chances are of getting rid of the cancer before it gets worse.

Call our office today at 850-542-4428 to schedule your regular dental checkup and your oral cancer screening. Our friendly and inviting staff members are awaiting to help you get your mouth healthy and prevent a cancer from spreading that can be easily cured.