{"id":13,"date":"2018-12-15T19:10:49","date_gmt":"2018-12-15T19:10:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.kentuckysedationdentist.com\/blog\/?p=13"},"modified":"2019-01-15T19:12:55","modified_gmt":"2019-01-15T19:12:55","slug":"oral-cancer","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.kentuckysedationdentist.com\/blog\/2018\/12\/15\/oral-cancer\/","title":{"rendered":"Oral Cancer: Another Reason Not to Skip Your Next Dental Checkup"},"content":{"rendered":"\"oralPreventive dental appointments<\/a> are an essential part of maintaining oral health. During these checkups, a hygienist cleans your teeth and coaches you on how best to care for your smile at home. The dentist also examines your mouth and lets you know if you have cavities, gum disease, or other issues that require further treatment. But there is another big reason to be diligent about attending these routine appointments: oral cancer. The team at your dentist\u2019s office is trained to spot warning signs of this disease \u2014 a simple screening could save your life!\r\n\r\n\r\n

Think You\u2019re Not at Risk? Think Again<\/h2>\r\nMost people believe that oral cancer is a disease that affects only a few groups, such as heavy smokers and drinkers. While it is true that alcohol consumption and tobacco usage are huge risk factors for oral cancer, that doesn\u2019t mean that other individuals aren\u2019t going to develop this disease. If you\u2019ve spent a lot of time out in the sun, or you have an immune system deficiency, you\u2019re also at an increased risk.\r\n\r\nFurthermore, it\u2019s also wise to bear in mind that the human papilloma virus (HPV) is increasing the incidences of oral cancer among younger people. HPV is very common, and many individuals are not aware that they have it because it doesn\u2019t always produce obvious symptoms.\r\n\r\nExperts recommend that all <\/em>adults, regardless of their age or lifestyle choices, get screened for oral cancer at least once a year. These regular checkups can aid in early detection and drastically increase the chances that a person will defeat their cancer.\r\n

The Oral Cancer Screening Process<\/h2>\r\nMany dentists include an oral cancer screening as part of a routine exam. The process is simple, quick, and painless. Your dental hygienist or dentist will perform a thorough visual and tactile examination of your oral cavity and the surrounding structures. Some of the signs they\u2019ll look for include:\r\n