ORAL CANCER
Annual dental exams are important for screening more than just your teeth!
When oral cancer is detected early, the chances of survival are increased. One American dies every hour from oral cancer.
Are you at risk?
Patients at increased risk for oral cancer:
- patients age 40 and older (95%) of all cases
- patients ages 18-39 years of age combined with the following:
- tobacco use
- chronic alcohol consumption
- oral HPV infection
Patients at the highest risk for oral cancer:
- Patients age 65 and older who use tobacco, and or consume alcohol regularly
- Patients with history of oral cancer
25% of oral cancers occur in people who don’t smoke and have no other risk factors!
The typical risk factors for oral cancer such as tobacco use and chronic alcohol consumption are commonly known, however, a newly recognized risk factor known as HPV, is changing the face of oral cancer. HPV has long been known to cause cervical cancer in women, and may play a role in more than 25% of oral cancer cases. The human papilloma virus is a common sexually transmitted virus that is thought to be causing oral cancer in an increasingly younger patient population. Few people if any, even know they have it. That is why it is so important to see your dentist for annual examination.
Visilite Plus
Is an oral lesion identification and marking system used during oral examination to help dentists and dental hygienists find abnormalities in your mouth that could be precancerous or even cancer. When oral cancer is found early, treatment may be less invasive and the prognosis far better. This is a painless exam. The patient simply rinses with a indicating solution, and the dentist or hygienist re-examines the patient with the Visilite penlight. If a suspicious lesion is found, it wil be documented in your chart, and your dentist will advise you if any further treatment or referral is required.
For more information about Visilite Plus visit: www.visilite.com