Routine dental check-ups could save lives
Most people view their routine check-up as an annual half hour appointment, but research is consistently suggesting that dental check-ups are extremely important for good general health.
A routine dental check-up promotes good oral health, by allowing dentists to keep an eye on existing or developing conditions and enabling them to identify early warning signs of gum disease or tooth decay, but it can also help dentists to diagnose more serious health conditions, including oral cancer.
Oral cancer is becoming increasingly common and causes more deaths than both cervical and testicular cancer; in the UK it is estimated that 1 person dies from oral cancer every five hours. Oral cancer, if identified early, has a good prognosis; however, if it is not caught early, it can spread and survival chances become much lower.
Regular, six monthly check-ups allow dentists to identify early warning signs of oral cancer and treatment can be administered as early as possible; early diagnosis can help to improve survival rates by up to 90 percent.
This month dental practices across the UK are raising awareness of oral cancer by celebrating Mouth Cancer Action Month, a campaign run by the British Dental Health Foundation. The campaign has been launched to teach people about the signs and symptoms of oral cancer and encourage people to attend regular dental check-ups.
Next Monday, Perfect 32 in East Yorkshire is offering free screening for patients to help raise awareness; dentists will use an advanced screening instrument known as the Velscope to check for signs of oral cancer; all patients will also be given an information pack.
Dentists are urging people to keep an eye out for possible symptoms of oral cancer, including white or red patches in the mouth, abnormal swellings in the mouth or throat and sores which do not heal quickly.
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