Chances are that you’ve already been taught to visit the dentist twice a year for a checkup. Did you know that some oral health care professionals check for oral cancer in addition to your regular cleaning and exam? That includes Dr. Nicholas Kondon at Nicholas P. Kondon, DMD.
We take oral cancer seriously because it is serious business. About 35,000 Americans are diagnosed every year. If you chew or smoke tobacco, do other drugs, or consume a lot of alcohol, we would encourage you to cut back or quit entirely. This is because amongst all the other damage these practices do to your health, your risk of oral cancer dramatically increases with prolonged exposure to drugs and alcohol.
Whether or not you continue to smoke or drink, however, it’s still a good idea to get an oral cancer exam. Would you like to know how it may go? First, if you have dentures or partials, you’ll be asked to remove them. Then a member of our dental team will examine your face, neck, lips and mouth for any symptoms of oral cancer, feeling for any lumps in that area and looking for patches inside the cheeks or lips. You’ll stick out your tongue, after which we will look for swelling, strange colors or textures, on the top, side, and underside.
If you are ready for your dental checkup in Concord, Massachusetts, you can call 978.369.9090 to reach a member of our wonderful staff who will help you arrange an appointment. If you’d like, you can ask about our oral cancer exams as well. We’d be happy to answer any questions or concerns you may have.