Regular Screenings are Critical for Good Oral Health
It is important to see your family dentists a few times a year for cleanings and oral health check ups. It is just as important to get screened for oral cancer regularly.
You may think your mouth is healthy and that there is no need for an extra check; however, did you know that one person dies every hour from oral cancer? Further, about 100 new cases are diagnosed daily. While the prospect of finding out about oral cancer may sound bleak, those who receive an early diagnosis have a survival rate of about 90 percent. Getting checked is important!
You can help prevent oral cancer by following recommendations from the American Cancer Society and Dakota Dental’s Apple Valley dentists. These include:
- Do not smoke or use tobacco products
- Limit your alcohol intake
- Wear sunscreen and a hat to prevent exposure to ultraviolet (UV) light rays
- Eat a healthful diet full of fruit and vegetables of all different colors
- If you wear dentures or dental bridges, be sure they are fitted properly
- Get your oral cancer screening every year
At some dental offices, an oral cancer screening is an extra service with an extra charge. At Dakota Dental, this screening is a regular part of your routine preventive dentistry exam, and our dentists check your entire mouth to detect pre-cancers and oral cancers.
Taking care of your teeth is important to us at Dakota Dental, but our primary goal is taking care of you. That means we go beyond just an oral health program and include preventive dentistry care. From routine oral cancer screenings to the community dental care programs we participate in, Dakota Dental strives to make dental awareness and good oral health easily accessible to everyone. Contact Dakota Dental today to let us know how we can best serve you.