Dr. Guy Spinner

Oral Cancer
Preventive Care

A visit to your dentist can be a lifesaver! Ask your dentist about the preventable disease that kills more people nationwide than either skin cancer or cervical cancer.
Fortunately, most oral “sores” or “lesions” are not harmful. But a small number are dangerous, and if not identified early, they may progress to a more advanced stage. The GOOD NEWS. When oral cancer is detected early by your dentist, it can be completely cured.

An oral lesion may be a persistant sore or irritation, a small, flat, red or white patch, or a growth, lump, thickening, rough spot, crust or irritated area. It is often painless, and you may not be aware of it. Because many oral lesions are flat, very small, or in an area of your mouth that you cannot see, they can often only be detected during a periodic oral examination by your dentist.

Oral cancer is a devastating disease when detected in its later stages. Late stage treatment usually involves major facial surgery with only half of such patients surviving past five years. Therefore, it is important to see your dentist regularly so that dangerous oral lesions can be detected at an early, curable stage.