Besides keeping up on your biannual checkups and setting good oral hygiene routines, it’s also very important to have oral cancer screenings as you age. This is mostly a preventative measure to make sure your oral health is in optimal shape, but it could also save your life! It’s estimated by the American Cancer Society that almost 50,000 people will get oral cancer in 2017 alone. Certain infections cause the number of cases to rise. About ⅕ of those diagnosed die each year from this disease, which can be prevented with professional treatment. With early detection and proper screening, you can avoid the devastating effects that come from oral cancer. If you haven’t scheduled your biannual checkup with Dr. Bockrath today, make sure you do! We love taking care of our patients, and oral cancer screenings are just one of the ways we help protect you and your health at Mountain Aire Dentistry.

The Facts

Cancer is not a word anyone wants to hear, especially when it comes to your mouth. You use your mouth to eat, speak and interact with others. What would you do if you had oral cancer? We hope none of our patients ever have to find out, but we do have swift and proper treatment if we ever find the presence of oral cancer via screenings. What are the facts?

• An estimated 24 people per day will die from oral cancer, according to the Oral Cancer Foundation.
• This conditions is almost twice as prevalent in men compared to women. According to Cancer.net, oral cavity cancer is actually the 9th most common cancer among men.
• Almost 50,000 people (49,670) will be diagnosed with oral cancer this year alone, and an estimated 9,700 deaths will occur because of it.
• When detected early, patients have an 83% survival rate or more, which is why screenings are so important!
• When oral cancer is left unchecked, it will eventually start migrating to the surrounding tissues and organs.
• Oral cavity cancer is one of the most common cancers of the mouth.
• Oral cavity cancer usually occurs in the tongue, tonsils and oropharynx, gums and floor of the mouth.
• The average age that oral cancer manifests is around age 62, but it has been known to affect children in very rare cases and also occurs in patients under 55 in about ¼ of the cases on record.
• If you have had or currently have oral cancer, you are at an increased risk to develop cancer in nearby areas such as the larynx (voice box), esophagus or the lungs. You will have to have continual screenings throughout life to monitor your health and prevent cancer in these areas.
• Tobacco and alcohol use has been shown to increase the chances for other cancers in patients who have or have had oral cancer, so be mindful of this!

Your Cancer Screening

We provide a comprehensive exam and digital x-rays for your screening. Our exam will include the examination of all the teeth and the soft tissues of the mouth. Our digital x-rays allow us to pass x-ray particles through the teeth and bones of the mouth, providing us a way to view all the teeth and supporting bone and gum tissues. This is one way we are able to detect infections or abnormalities that need prompt attention. At your screening, Dr. Bockrath will examine your mouth and check for any lumps or irregular tissue changes in your oral cavity. He’ll also check your neck, head and face for any signs of oral cancer. Sores in the mouth or discolored tissues could be signs of oral cancer or other severe problems, so it is always smart to call us if you see either of these symptoms.

Of course, we always stress the importance of excellent oral hygiene. This is one of the most important things you can do for your teeth and gums. Keeping good care of your teeth and gums and seeing us several times a year can prevent not only oral cancer from becoming a problem, but can prevent gum disease, tooth decay and more. We want all of our patients to be as healthy as possible. If you haven’t had your oral cancer screening, come into our Mountain Aire Dentistryl office today or call us at (303) 731-7755. It could just save your life!