What does the dentist look for during a regular checkup besides indications of tooth problems and gum disease?
A dentist is trained to recognize warning signs of a variety of ills, both minor and major. Among the latter is oral cancer, of which there are several types. If detected early enough, the great majority of oral cancer cases can be treated successfully. Bleeding sores that won’t heal and patches that turn red or white become thickened may be symptoms of oral cancer. Some cancers develop in the mouth unnoticed because they are painless and difficult for the patient to see. In such cases, the dentist is usually first to discover their presence. Nearly all cases of oral cancer develop in people ages 40 and over—a very compelling reason, for people in that age group to maintain a schedule of regular dental checkups.
