{"id":295,"date":"2025-03-22T17:26:04","date_gmt":"2025-03-22T17:26:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.zahnerdental.com\/blog\/?p=295"},"modified":"2025-04-22T16:02:03","modified_gmt":"2025-04-22T16:02:03","slug":"recognize-oral-cancer-awareness-month-this-april-by-visiting-your-dentist","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.zahnerdental.com\/blog\/recognize-oral-cancer-awareness-month-this-april-by-visiting-your-dentist\/","title":{"rendered":"Recognize Oral Cancer Awareness Month This April by Visiting Your Dentist"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Did you know that nearly 54,000 Americans receive an oral cancer diagnosis every year? What\u2019s worse is that oral cancer has a five-year survival rate of 57%, meaning that just a little more than half of all people diagnosed with the condition are able to survive five years after being delivered the bad news. What\u2019s fortunate, though, is that oral cancer isn\u2019t particularly difficult to diagnose \u2013 and screenings performed by your dentist during routine, biannual checkups<\/a> can be an important tool in mitigating this deadly disease. Here\u2019s what you need to know. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

What Exactly Is an Oral Cancer Screening?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

An oral cancer screening isn\u2019t a type of fancy or specialized appointment that you\u2019ll need to fit into your busy schedule \u2013 it\u2019s something that actually occurs during a routine dental checkup and cleaning, which you should already be attending twice a year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While your dental team is inspecting your smile for signs of concern, they will also look for any potentially cancerous symptoms present inside your mouth. Oral cancers include mouth cancer, jaw cancer, and tongue cancer, and all can manifest symptoms inside the oral cavity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Your dentist will examine the floor and roof of your mouth, your gums and lips, as well as your tongue, tonsils, and any other surrounding soft tissues. If anything suspicious is found, you can be referred to an oncologist for further testing, diagnosis, and treatment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tips for Staying Oral Cancer-Free<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Although oral cancer is quite serious, it isn\u2019t something that should cause you to live in fear; between routine checkups and making smart lifestyle choices, you can effectively safeguard your smile. Consider the following tips:<\/p>\n\n\n\n