By Arthur Kezian

How often do you go for a dental checkup? How often does your dentist do a screening for oral cancer as part of your checkup? Dentists recommend getting a dental check-ups once every six months. It is important for your dentist to not only check for possible cavities, but possible symptoms for oral cancer.

A dentist will feel your mouth for lumps or irregular tissues in your neck, head, oral cavity, and cheeks. He or she will also check the soft tissues in your mouth looking for sore spots and any tissue that is discolored. This type of screening should be done every six months for preventative measures.

Every year more than 30,000 new cases of oral cancer are diagnosed in the United States. This cancer can be fatal if not treated properly in its early stages. The earlier the cancer is found, the earlier it can get treated. This is why it is very important to keep up with routine dental exams. Your dentist should make sure to send you reminder letters every six months or so.

Some of the possible signs for oral cancer include lumps or thick spots, sores that do not heal and/or are constantly bleeding, soreness of the throat, hoarseness, numbness of the tongue, difficulty moving the jaw or tongue, or difficulty chewing or swallowing. Sometimes ear pains are also associated with oral cancer we well as changes in the way teeth fit.

Ask your dentist for more information regarding oral cancer. It is important to take action from the beginning. It is better to be safe when it comes to something as important as this. Make sure to get yourself checked every time you visit your dentist.

Dr. Arthur A. Kezian DDS 443 N. Larchmont Blvd Los Angeles, CA 90004 (323) 467-2777