Your dentist will perform a careful oral cancer screening at every examination. While habits such as tobacco-use or heavy alcohol consumption can be contributing factors to disease, many oral cancers cannot be directly attributed to habits or family history of cancer. Oral cancers affect older individuals at a higher rate than younger ones, but cancer can be found in younger patients, too. Oral cancers that are detected early can often be treated successfully, and regular check-ups are the best opportunity for your dentist to thoroughly examine your mouth for signs of disease.
