Dentists will diagnose 30,000+ cases of oral cancer this year. Of those patients, 7500 will die from the disease within five years. However, if oral cancer is found in the early stages, patients face an 80-percent cure rate.
Oral cancer usually appears as white lesions in the soft tissues (gums, lips, cheeks, tongue) of the mouth. If you have a mouth sore that won't heal, visit us immediately. If you 're in the high-risk category – you drink or smoke – Dr. Wynne recommends an oral cancer screening twice each year. At your checkup, Dr. Wynne will inspect your mouth's soft tissues to check for signs of oral cancer. If he sees a suspicious lesion, he will do a brush biopsy to determine whether the area is, in fact, cancerous. If so, he'll refer you to an oral surgeon for treatment.
Don't risk your life. If you haven't had a checkup in a while, schedule yours with Dr. Wynne now. Call our Raleigh dental office for an appointment. We care for patients across the area, including those from Cary, Morrisville, and Apex.