{"id":670,"date":"2014-06-24T09:29:22","date_gmt":"2014-06-24T14:29:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.texas-dental.com\/?p=670"},"modified":"2014-06-24T09:29:22","modified_gmt":"2014-06-24T14:29:22","slug":"dentist-can-watch-signs-oral-cancer","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.texas-dental.com\/index.php\/2014\/06\/24\/dentist-can-watch-signs-oral-cancer\/","title":{"rendered":"A Dentist Can Watch for Signs of Oral Cancer"},"content":{"rendered":"

As a local dentist<\/a>, we provide preventative care to help our patients stay in the best possible oral health.\u00a0 We recommend that patients have their teeth cleaned and exam\"Dentist\"<\/a>ined at least twice a year.\u00a0 This allows us to remove bacteria and plaque that can create cavities and gum disease.\u00a0 We can also identify any infections and treat them in their early stages.\u00a0 During regular dental exams, we will also watch for signs of oral cancer.<\/p>\n

Statistically, around 35,000 U.S. adults are diagnosed with oral cancer on an annual basis.\u00a0 This is a relatively unknown, yet common cancer.\u00a0 Since more attention is paid to things like heart disease or breast cancer, many people are unaware of how to recognize oral cancer or when to go see a doctor.\u00a0 This makes regular dental exams important for catching the disease in its early stages.<\/p>\n

As a local dentist<\/strong>, we are able to watch for symptoms that a patient may find difficult to see.\u00a0 Since the mouth is a dark place, it is hard to peer inside while simply looking in the mirror.\u00a0 During dental exams, we shine a bright light into the mouth so that we can see every nook and cranny. There are several signs that we look for, including:<\/p>\n