In North America, approximately 34,000 people were diagnosed with oral cancer and 8,500 died from the disease in 2006. Nearly half of oral cancer patients are expected to die within five years of diagnosis but the disease is 80 to 90% survivable if diagnosed early.

Unfortunately, only 35% of oral cancer cases are diagnosed in the early stages. The early stage of oral cancer development is often painless and the physical signs may not be obvious. This makes it a very dangerous disease.

Regular screenings by your dental professional will allow early discovery when cure is more likely.

Changes which could indicate pre-cancerous tissue include red and/or white discolorations of the soft tissue of the mouth, any sore that does not heal in 14 days and prolonged hoarseness.

The good news is you can take steps to reduce your likelihood of developing oral cancer.

The single most important thing you can do is to discontinue use of all tobacco products and limit alcohol consumption to fifteen drinks per week.

Always use at least SPF30 on your face and lips when out in the sun.

A diet rich in fruits and vegetables contains vital nutrients that strengthen the immune system and decreases your chances of disease.

Betel nuts and bedis, whether chewed or smoked, are believed to be causative agents of oral cancers and should be avoided.

There are other factors including age, ethnicity, and the HPV virus that also increase the risk of oral cancer.

Your dentist offers a comprehensive oral cancer examination. This exam should include a visual and tactile exploration of the interior of your mouth as well as the underside of your chin and neck.

If an area of suspicion is discovered your dentist may use a small brush to collect cells from the area for a thorough examination under a microscope. In some cases a small biopsy may be taken and/or referral to a specialist.

At our office, we are fortunate to have a state of the art Velscope diagnostic machine to further indicate the presence of oral cancer. This scope also detects underlying precancerous cells that may not be detected by a visual exam.