{"id":911,"date":"2019-04-21T16:30:22","date_gmt":"2019-04-21T16:30:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.lehighvalleydentalhealth.com\/blog\/?p=911"},"modified":"2019-04-21T16:30:22","modified_gmt":"2019-04-21T16:30:22","slug":"dentist-in-the-lehigh-valley","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.lehighvalleydentalhealth.com\/blog\/dentist-in-the-lehigh-valley\/","title":{"rendered":"Dentist in the Lehigh Valley for Oral Cancer Screenings"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"oral<\/a>The American Dental Association recommends you visit your dentist in the Lehigh Valley twice a year for a cleaning and checkup<\/a>. Besides brushing and flossing at home, routine appointments are vital to maintaining your oral health. Not only do they keep your teeth and gums healthy, but they also give you the opportunity to have an oral cancer screening. Although you may not think you need one, everyone can benefit from the power of early detection.
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Importance of Oral Cancer Screenings<\/h2>\n

Oral cancer is classified as those that affect the head and neck; however, brain cancer is in a separate category. While it is not widely discussed, nearly 53,000 Americans will be diagnosed with oral or oropharyngeal cancer this year. Unfortunately, 1 person every hour of every day dies from the cancer. Only 57% of those diagnosed with oral cancer survive longer than 5 years.<\/p>\n

The low survival rate is largely attributed to late detection. Often, it is not found until it has reached advanced stages or spread to other areas of the body. It is predicted, dentists can detect 80% of new oral cancer cases early through routine screenings.<\/p>\n

Unfortunately, most Americans are not aware they need a screening or that they are available at routine appointments. April is Oral Cancer Awareness Month, dedicated to increasing public knowledge about the importance and availability of routine screenings.<\/p>\n

Spotting Oral Cancer Warning Signs<\/h2>\n

Your dentist can quickly perform an oral cancer screening during your next semi-annual cleaning and checkup. They look for any concerning areas that may indicate cancerous or precancerous cells. If a suspicious area is found, a biopsy is taken and tested at a dental lab. Your dentist informs you of the results and if any additional treatment is needed.<\/p>\n

If any signs of oral cancer appear between your routine appointments, do not hesitate to contact your dentist. These symptoms include:<\/p>\n