SPRINGFIELD, MISSOURI-Barnett-Davis Dental Group is joining the efforts of the Oral Cancer Foundation and the dental and medical community to raise awareness about a disease that is taking a life every hour of the day in the U.S. by offering complimentary oral cancer screenings.

“Routine screenings are effective at catching oral cancer in the pre-cancer stage, when survival rates are highest, between 80 to 90 percent, and the side-effects of treatment are lowest,” says Dr. Kelly Barnett, a Springfield dentist.

April has been the official Oral Cancer Awareness Month in the U.S. since 2000. For five years in a row, the OCF reports that there has been an increase in the rate of occurrence of oral cancers, which include mouth cancer, tongue cancer, tonsil cancer and throat cancer.

Dr. Barnett says that we need to keep spreading the word about the causes, sign and symptoms of oral cancers and work to provide easier access to screening services.

Oral Cancer Risk Factors And Prevention
Historically, tobacco and alcohol use have been the biggest cause of oral cancer, but the latest research shows that another leading cause has emerged: exposure to human papilloma virus version 16. HPV-16 is the same version responsible for most cervical cancers in women. Less than five percent of people have no identified cause for oral cancer.

The best way to limit the risk of oral cancer is to quit using all tobacco products and indulge in alcoholic beverages sparingly. A vaccination is available to protect against HPV-16 as well as three other types of the virus. The most important step people can take is to have any symptoms or abnormalities checked by a medical professional promptly and ask for an oral cancer screening during their biannual dental examinations.

“An oral cancer screening is simple, painless and can be completed in about five minutes. We do a visual examination of the oral tissues, and then feel parts of the throat and the floor of your mouth,” says Dr. Tracy Davis, a cosmetic dentist who offers Invisalign and porcelain veneers.

“Our doctors will look for any abnormalities, as well as perform an indirect examination of the nasopharynx and larynx, meaning they will feel the neck for swollen lymph nodes, and other abnormalities, such as hardened masses”, says the Springfield MO invisalign provider.

Oral Cancer Signs And Symptoms
Look for these common signs and symptoms of oral cancer regularly and let us know right away about any that developed in between routine cleaning and examination appointments.

• Red and white discolorations of the soft tissues of the mouth
• Mouth sores that persist for more than two weeks
• Chronic hoarseness
• Sore throat or sensation of something is stuck in the throat
• Numbness in the oral region
• Difficulty chewing, swallowing or moving the jaw and tongue
• Lump or thickening developing in the mouth or on the neck

“Take the first step toward protecting your future by scheduling an appointment for an oral cancer screening,” says Springfield MO dental implants specialist Dr. Marc Barnett.

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