Did you know that, according to the American Cancer Society, more than 30,000 cases of oral cancer are diagnosed each year? Regular oral cancer screenings with your caring and compassionate dentist in Deltona can help detect early warning signs, and may help prevent cancer from spreading.

At My Family Dental, we recommend that patients over the age of 40 undergo an annual oral cancer screening, and that patients over the age of 20 have screenings done once every three years.

Patients who smoke, drink heavily, have a previous oral cancer diagnosis or history of prolonged sun exposure have a higher risk of developing oral cancer and are encouraged to book exams more often.

During an oral cancer check, our skilled experts will exam your mouth and look for the following signs:

• Red patches and sores that fail to heal and bleed easily
• Leukoplakia, which are hardened white or gray lesions that may appear slightly raised
• Lumps in the mouth that may or may not be painful to the touch

It’s important to note that dental professionals do not diagnose oral cancer. However, because we specialize in the head and neck, we understand how your oral cavity is supposed to look and feel. Should something unusual appear, it may result in a referral to a specialist who has the advanced training to provide you with the best care available. This will give you peace of mind, especially since early detection can save lives.

If you’ve developed a sore in your mouth that hasn’t healed after approximately two weeks, please contact us today. We’ll help determine if it needs further attention and put your mind at ease!