Weekend Islip Dentist Advises Oral Cancer Screenings

There’s a problem no one’s talking about, even though it kills one person every hour. That means that by the time you eat lunch, it will have killed more than seven people since you woke up. And only slightly half of those who have it will live more than five years. It’s more deadly than cervical cancer, Hodgkin’s lymphoma and testicular cancer–cancers we hear about far more often.

What is it? Oral cancer, and it’s the cause of 13,500 deaths each year in the United States alone.

There is some encouraging news, though. Oral cancer is usually successfully treated when caught in an early stage. That means the shockingly high death rate isn’t a result of its difficulty to diagnose or treat, but because it’s often discovered too late in its development. But due to its painless initial symptoms, oral cancer in its early stages frequently goes unnoticed by the patient.

Oral cancer isn’t reserved for older adults. Although it has typically been most common in adults over the age of 40, due to a surge in the Human Papilloma Virus number 16, the average age of those infected with oral cancer is decreasing. Young men and women who use smokeless tobacco are also more likely to be diagnosed with the disease.

Dr. Rosenfeld and the rest of the team at East Islip Dental Care are dedicated to your health, and that means making sure you’re undergoing regular oral cancer screenings. We strongly recommend that all of our patients have an oral cancer screening at least once a year. It may seem like a lot, but because oral cancer is far easier to treat the earlier it’s diagnosed, frequent screenings are just worth it.

Screenings are important, but it’s also key that you know the symptoms in order to recognize any abnormalities in your mouth. Common symptoms of oral cancer include color changes in your mouth, painless white or red spots, a mouth spot or lump that’s thickened or crusted, pain or numbness on the lips or in the mouth and a sore that doesn’t heal or bleeds easily.

We strive to give you a beautiful smile, but your health and safety are our top priorities. That’s why, unlike most dentist’s offices, we’re open in the evening and on weekends, when it’s most convenient for you. During your oral cancer screening, we’ll scan your mouth for the above symptoms–things you just may not have noticed. If we do find a suspicious spot our team is ready to give you the expert advice you need moving forward to regain your oral health as quickly as possible.

If you’re like many adults who have never had an oral cancer screening, please do not wait another day to make an appointment. Oral cancer is far easier to treat when caught in its early stages–make an appointment for a screening with your weekend or evening dentist at East Islip Dental Care today. Because your health is our top priority.