Boulder General Dentistry

The prevalence of oral cancer in our society is alarming when you look at the numbers. Nearly 34,000 people get it each year, and around 8,000 die as a result of it. It is the second most serious dental problem behind periodontal disease.

Major causes of oral cancer are smoking and alcohol abuse, but there are many who get it who have never abused these things. There is some indication that one of the causes may also be human paopilloma virus (HPV), a sexually transmitted virus that also causes cervical cancer.

While there are 11,000 cases of cervical cancer a year, nearly 60 million pap smears are given each year to detect this disease. Not so with oral cancer. However, many dentists, including Dr. Birnbach have begun to screen for oral cancer using the ViziLite system. This is a non-invasive and completely painless technique for detecting oral cancer in its earliest stages, even before you see lesions with your own eye.

Symptoms of oral cancer include bleeding from the mouth or throat, difficulty swallowing, lumps in or around the mouth, and red or white lesions. It occurs most frequently on the gums, lips, tongue, and floor of the mouth.

By taking care to practice good oral hygiene, get twice yearly checkups, and add oral cancer screening to your dental routine, you will not only avoid the chance of getting oral cancer, but may stop it in its earliest stages. Remember that how you take care of your teeth and gums affects more than your smile.

If you are interested in being screened for oral cancer in addition to your routine dental exam, please contact Dr. Birnbach.