Oral Cancer Screenings
Oral cancer screenings are a very important part of the dental visit for the patient. With the advances in modern technology, we are now able to pinpoint the start of a potential problem much earlier in its evolution. The ability to do so is extremely important in being able to treat any issues prior to them becoming a major irreversible problem.
At Bitterroot Dental, we are proactive and both the hygienist and Dr. Duke perform an oral cancer screening on every patient, every exam. Most people think oral cancer only occurs in old people. While most cases are in patients over 40, the fastest growing group of people with oral cancer are between the ages of 16-35. Because of this, every person should get an oral cancer screening each year. Even if you have no teeth and wear a denture, you still need to be checked. In addition to our visual and manual check, our office uses the Trimira Identafi 3000 to evaluate suspicious areas. The Identafi allows us to view issues that can’t always be detected by the human eye under normal conditions.
Certain lifestyle choices can have a great impact on the health of tissues and your overall health in the mouth. If you are a smoker or heavy drinker, make sure to get regular screenings when you visit the dentist.