{"id":76,"date":"2019-01-07T17:50:00","date_gmt":"2019-01-07T17:50:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.harrisonburgsmiles.com\/blog\/?p=76"},"modified":"2019-02-04T17:55:04","modified_gmt":"2019-02-04T17:55:04","slug":"checking-oral-cancer-harrisonburg","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.harrisonburgsmiles.com\/blog\/2019\/01\/07\/checking-oral-cancer-harrisonburg\/","title":{"rendered":"How Often Is a Dentist Checking For Oral Cancer In Harrisonburg?"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"HandEveryone knows about the importance of screenings for colon, breast or skin cancer, but an equally serious type of cancer that gets less attention is oral cancer. Many people think they aren\u2019t at risk if they don\u2019t smoke and or drink heavily. Unfortunately, oral cancer has been on the rise in recent years – even in people without these risk factors. That\u2019s why regularly checking for oral cancer in Harrisonburg is so important. Keep reading to find out how often a dentist is checking for oral cancer in Harrisonburg and what they\u2019re looking for!<\/p>\n

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How Often Are Oral Cancer Screenings Performed?<\/h2>\n

Oral cancer screenings are recommended twice per year and are done at every checkup. As with all cancers, early detection is key to successful treatment outcomes.<\/p>\n

Especially since, as mentioned, oral cancer has been increasingly diagnosed in people who don\u2019t have the usual risk factors of age, tobacco use, or heavy alcohol use.<\/p>\n

More studies are being done, but researchers think that HPV (human papillomavirus) is accountable for the increase.<\/p>\n

What Does a Dentist Look For?<\/h2>\n

Both a dentist and hygienist will be looking at all the tissues in the mouth, including the lips, cheeks, throat, palate, and under the tongue.<\/p>\n

They\u2019ll be checking for red or white lesions, lumps, bumps, or tissue that has become thick or callous-like. They\u2019ll also be examining the area around the lips, as this is a common spot for a type of skin cancer called melanoma.<\/p>\n

If you notice any of the following in between checkups, it\u2019s a good idea to schedule an oral cancer screening in Harrisonburg<\/a>:<\/p>\n