April is Oral Cancer Awareness Month.  As this month comes to a close, our Crestwood, KY dentist would like to take the opportunity to share our thoughts on oral cancer and to remind you that routine oral cancer screenings are important.  Brushing and flossing, while necessary on a daily basis, is not the only step you need to take to ensure a healthy mouth.  As the dentist Crestwood, KY families value for our cosmetic dentistry services, we also want you to understand the importance of a healthy smile.  Oral health is more than a smile; it concerns your overall health as well.  Thus, let’s talk about oral cancer screening and why you need it.

Dental Exams

We screen our patients for oral cancer at every single dental examination.  This is so that a problem is caught by our professionals right away.  All too often, when a patient comes to us with a problem like oral cancer, it is far advanced.  If you hold off on showing up for your routine dental exams, you give oral cancer a chance to spread.  Early detection is the only way we can catch oral cancer in its infancy.  Thus, our simple screening is important on many levels.  By tracking any changes every 6 months, our Crestwood, KY dentist ensures your health is not at risk.

Saving Lives with Dentistry

A great smile builds confidence and keeps your whole body in good health.  Infections of the mouth can seep into the bloodstream and create a whole host of problems with your heart.  Likewise, oral cancer can spread to other parts of your body if left unchecked.  Schedule your dental exam with us so that we can establish a baseline for your oral health.

Oral Cancer Risk Factors

Unfortunately, oral cancer can affect a person of any age.  However, certain factors can put you at a higher risk for developing oral cancer.  If you smoke, heavily drink, chew tobacco, or have a poor diet, you are at risk.  Even without these factors in your life, you are prone to oral cancer.  Talk with our Crestwood, KY dentist to better understand your health and ways to prevent oral cancer.  Use April as the month to get back into a good oral health routine if you need a reminder.

Take control of your health before oral cancer poses a problem.  Reach out to us on Facebook or call our office to inquire about our oral cancer screening services.  We want to help you stay healthy and we can do that with proper oral hygiene and professional dental exams.  Have the peace of mind that you are in good health.  With healthy lifestyle choices and routine oral care, you can save yourself from the consequences of oral cancer.