Cosmetic Dentistry Blog

Around 37,000 Americans are diagnosed with oral cancer each year - with only 45% of those diagnosed surviving more than five years. Cases of mouth cancer or oral cancer have risen by 20% in the past 30 years. It affects twice as many men as women.

Cancer is an abnormal and excessive growth of cells. Scientists are still trying to figure out all of the causes and cures of oral cancer. They do know however, that oral cancer is almost always caused by chewing tobacco. Tobacco use and prolonged, heavy alcohol drinking are the biggest risk factors, but it has also recently been determined that the presence of oral HPV is also a clear risk factor for the disease.

Recommendations for the prevention of oral cancer includes abstinence from all types of tobacco, only moderate alcohol consumption, limited exposure to UV light and use of a SPF 15 lip balm to protect against cancer of the lips. At Dream Smile Dental, we also recommend avoiding sources of oral irritation like poorly fitting dentures, eating the required daily servings of vegetables, fruits and whole-grains and regular dental checkups including an oral cancer exam.

Often, oral cancer is discovered too late, which is the main reason for the high death rate. Early detection and diagnosis is imperative in increasing life expectancy; it is 90% curable when found in the early stages. However, 70% of oral cancers are diagnosed in the late stages.

At Dream Smile Dental, our practice has incorporated VELscope, the most powerful tool available for the discovery of oral abnormal cell growth for up to 5 years before it rises to the surface and can be seen by the naked eye. If you are concerned, or have never been screened for oral cancer, contact us.

Alarmingly, one American dies every hour from oral cancer, and this has remained unchanged for the last 40 years. Often, oral cancer is discovered too late in stage development, which is the main reason for the consistently high death rate.

With early detection, the chance for a cure is high. And now it is easier than ever to detect it. With early detection and diagnosis life expectancy can be increased; it is 90% curable when found in the early stages but 70% of oral cancers are diagnosed in the late stages.

Most often occurring in those who use tobacco in any form, oral cancer can also occur in people who do not smoke and have no other known risk factors. Oral Cancer often starts as a tiny, unnoticed white or red spot or sore anywhere in the mouth: the lips, gum tissue, cheek lining, tongue and the hard or soft palate. It can also cause a change in the way the teeth fit together.

Signs of Oral Cancer include:

• A sore that bleeds easily or does not heal
• A color change of the oral tissues
• A lump, thickening, rough spot, crust or small eroded area
• Pain, tenderness, or numbness anywhere in the mouth or on the lips
• Difficulty chewing, swallowing, speaking or moving the jaw or tongue.

If you believe that you or someone you care about may have oral cancer, it is important to have that spot checked. Please contact Dream Smile Dental for a consultation.

According to the Oral Cancer Foundation a person dies from oral cancer every hour of every day just in the United States.  Fortunately, early detection has an 80% to 90% survival rate.  These shocking statistics have lead to extensive research in this subject with the aim of finding a method of detecting possible cancers in the mouth in its pre-cancer state.  

Typically, oral cancer screenings are done by your dentist during the semi-annual exam using methods of palpation or direct visualization.   Now, with a new technological development called the VELScope, dentists can screen the entire mouth to find anything under the surface that may be invisible to the naked eye.  “Oral Cancer often has no visible symptoms and by the time a lump is found or pain is felt, advanced stages have set in and the chances of survival are minimal” states Dr. Evetta Shwartzman, owner of Dream Smile Dental where a VELScope oral cancer screening is done at every patient exam.   

Using a bright blue light to highlight potentially dangerous tissue, the VELScope allows the dentist to discover irregular concentrations of mass that may possibly be cancerous.  If the dentist is concerned with a particular area, a biopsy may be recommended as a preemptive measure. Most biopsies result in benign findings but, if further treatment is required, the dentist will provide you with your options.  Eliminating the cancer early minimizes the chances of it producing more malignant cells from spreading, which could result in extreme treatment where resection is the only option.  

Risk factors include tobacco use, excessive alcohol consumption, unprotected exposure to the sun and low intake of fruits and vegetables, although according to the Oral Cancer Consortium, 25% of people diagnosed have no risk factors at all.  “This is a concern for all Americans whether risk factors are present or not” explains Dr. Konstantin Ronkin, co-owner of Dream Smile Dental.  Recognizing the power of prevention, Dream Smile Dental offers VELScope oral cancer screenings not only to their patients, but to the public as well.  Ask your dentist what type of oral cancer technology is employed as a precaution to detect any potential abnormal growth at their earliest stage