When Dr. Jorgenson says that he is dedicated to helping patients enjoy the best general health possible in addition to outstanding oral health, he backs those words with actions. At each of your biannual dental checkups, we closely examine your entire oral cavity for the signs of oral or pharyngeal cancer. Unfortunately, the death rate associated with this cancer is rather high. However, that’s not because it is hard to diagnose or treat, but because oral cancer is too often discovered at a later stage. By conducting an oral cancer screening at each dental checkup, we are able to spot any suspicious signs early and prevent the advance of this potentially fatal disease.
According to The Oral Cancer Foundation, nearly 50,000 Americans will be diagnosed with oral or pharyngeal cancer this year; more than 8,650 Americans will die as a result of this disease. The five-year survival rate for those diagnosed is only slightly more than 50%. Researchers and medical professionals agree that those ominous numbers could be drastically improved with early diagnosis.
At Advanced Dental Care, oral cancer screenings involve a close examination of a patient’s extra-oral and intra-oral tissue. We visually examine for any irregular areas that may appear different in color, and we also palpate the jaw, neck, and cheeks to feel for areas that may have abnormal texture or consistency. We lift the tongue and examine under the sides because this is one of the most common areas for cancerous tissue to be found. The inside of your cheeks, gums, palate, and throat are also examined for abnormal tissue.
Your family dentist Dr. Jorgenson also believes in educating patients about the signs and symptoms of mouth cancer. In between your regular visits to our office, be on the lookout for:
If you’re due for a dental checkup that includes an oral cancer screening, then call our Costa Mesa dental office to reserve an appointment with Dr. Jorgenson. We are happy to serve patients from Irvine, Newport Beach, Huntington Beach, and beyond.
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