One person every hour, every day, dies of oral cancer.

When oral cancer is discovered in its early stages, the survival rate is very high, but too often it is discovered in its late stage and the survival rate is very low. Because of this risk, our office has invested in a state-of-the-art VELscope system. As part of our conventional oral cancer examination, this system can help us discover potentially dangerous tissue that we might otherwise miss.

The American Cancer Society’s most recent estimates for oral cavity and oropharyngeal cancers in the United States for 2021 are:

  • About 54,010 new cases of oral cavity or oropharyngeal cancer.

  • About 10,850 deaths from oral cavity or oropharyngeal cancer.

Oral cavity and oropharyngeal cancers occur most often in the following sites:

  • The tongue

  • The tonsils and oropharynx

  • The gums, floor of the mouth, and other parts of the mouth

The rest are found in the lips, the minor salivary glands (which often occur in the roof of the mouth), and other sites.

This oral cancer examination takes very little time, involves no pain or inconvenience and is very affordable.

Talk to us about making it a part of your next dental hygiene appointment.