Each year, over 43, 250 people are diagnosed with oral cancer. Of these, around half will pass away within five years. Why are oral cancer mortality rates so high? The fact is most people are not diagnosed until the late stages of the disease. However, with screenings during regular checkups, the disease can be diagnosed… Read more »
Category: Oral Cancer
FAQs: What is Oral Pathology?
How often do you have a checkup? Many adults assume a checkup is a very minor procedure and one they can afford to miss. In fact, a checkup allows your dentist to watch for signs of dental disease, including gum disease and oral cancer. At Cerritos Dental Surgery, we offer our patients the latest in oral… Read more »
Can General Dentists Practice Oral Pathology?
Oral and maxillofacial pathology is one of the nine specialized fields of dentistry recognized by the American Dental Association. In generalized terms, oral and maxillofacial pathologists (OMPs) work to identify, treat, and gain a better understanding of diseases that affect the mouth, the jaw, and the surrounding structures like the salivary glands and the TMJs… Read more »
Look, Feel, Checkup: Identifying the Signs of Oral Cancer
Ideally, we should all perform an oral cancer self-check every few months. Like breast and testicular self-checks, and oral cancer self-check consists of a careful visual and manual (touch-based) scan of your head, neck, and the inside of your mouth. Your chances of surviving oral cancer in the long term depend on early detection, and… Read more »
Frequently Asked Questions about Oral Biopsies
Your dentist has located a patch of cells, a lesion, or a small bump that needs to be analyzed so an accurate diagnosis can be made and treatment plan developed. To achieve these goals, you will need an oral biopsy, a procedure during which your dentist or oral surgeon removes a small section of the… Read more »
Understanding Your Oral Cancer Treatment Options
Although oral cancer is not one of the more common or well-known types of cancer, it has a relatively low survival rate because it is often not treated until it has already reached a late stage. In fact, the five year survival rate only averages about 57% nationwide. Identifying the signs of oral cancer while… Read more »