Do you know much about oral cancer? The chances may be slim. Unfortunately, there is not much public awareness made on the topic of oral cancer, which is why many people do not know that it is a type of cancer that affects nearly 42,000 individuals in the United States each year.
The month of April is officially the Oral Cancer Awareness month. It is during this month that dentists, such as Dr. Harper, put an emphasis on the many reasons patients should be visiting the dentist regularly.
Dr. Harper is a general dentist in Newport News, Virginia. When patients schedule an appointment for their regular dental check ups in Newport, News Virginia, there is a step-by-step process that Dr. Harper follows. Dr. Harper will take diagnostic x-rays of the teeth because those x-rays allow him to get a close look at the teeth and gums.
He will properly cleanse the teeth to remove plaque and any food particles that are stuck between the teeth. After a professional dental cleaning, Dr. Harper also performs an oral cancer screening and a periodontal screening, which allows him to check the teeth and gums for signs of gum disease.
When you visit the dentist office in Newport News, Virginia for a routine dental exam, you are taking proper care of your teeth and gums to keep them in as best shape as possible. When Dr. Harper is performing the examination and routine screenings, he will be able to determine and detect if there are any signs of oral cancer. It is always best to detect this form of cancer as early as possible. Late detection of oral cancer can ultimately lead to the spreading of this cancer and serious medical problems.
If you have not been to the dentist for quite a while because you were unable to find a dentist in Newport News, Virginia, consider a trip to Dr. Harper’s dental office. Dr. Harper has spent thousands of hours continuing his education in dentistry to ensure that he offers the best and most updated services to his patients. Keep yourself healthy and schedule an appointment as soon as you can.