When a person goes to the dentist, they are likely more focused on the cleaning and whether or not any cavities were discovered, than preventative care. However, an Oral Cancer Screening in Ann Arbor MI can be quite beneficial and help to determine whether or not a person is at risk of developing this issue. These screenings have been specifically designed to help and catch the early signs of oral cancer before they become more advanced.
The oral cancer screening in Ann Arbor MI is important because it is an issue that can be successfully treated if caught in the early stages. In fact, about 84 percent of all oral cancer cases are able to be detected early on by a dentist or other oral health professional.
When a dentist performs an oral cancer screening, they will use a number of tools to find signs of discoloration or the evidence of mouth sores. They will also feel the tissues in the mouth for any abnormalities or lumps that may be present. If they do detect any type of abnormality in the person’s mouth, they will then send a sample of it to their lab to be tested further.
Some of the main risk factors for oral cancer include:
A person’s age -; those who are over the age of 40 are at a higher risk.
If the person uses tobacco or drinks alcohol heavily.
Men are more prone to developing oral cancer than women.
People who eat an unhealthy diet.
Excessive exposure to the sun.
While it has been proven that most people who are diagnosed as having oral cancer have at least three of these risk factors, there are more and more people who are being diagnosed with none. This means that no one is safe and having a screening during regular cleaning checkups is important.
More information about oral cancer and why a person should have a screening can be found by contacting the staff from Washtenaw General Dentistry Associates. Taking the time to learn about the condition and how easy it is to detect can help a person see why this screening is so important. There is no reason to risk bad oral health when there are options out there.
