Accurate Oral Cancer Screening is an Essential Service

According to the latest statistics from the ACS (American Cancer Society), oral cancer is the sixth most deadly cancer, killing over 7,000 people every year and leaving another 30,000 still at risk. If that seems to be a problematic figure, you would be in good company because, on average, one person has died from oral cancer every twenty-four hours for the last forty years!

You would also be in good company if you wished that professional dentistry could offer you an oral cancer screening periodically when you have dental checkup appointments. In our practice, we have made technological investments to be able to perform oral cancer screenings on any of our patients who desire it. We never want our patients or their family members to be one of these awful oral cancer statistics!

In addition to the visual exam that is part of our regular checkup appointment, we are now utilizing VIZILITE Plus with T-BLUE 630 to accurately screen for oral cancer. This technology innovation comprises a chemiluminescent light source known as VISILITE and T-BLUE 630, a dental dye. Together, they help us pinpoint any potentially cancerous lesions accurately.

The two elements of VISILITE and blue dye work together and help us and our hygienists to identify any potential oral cancer or other abnormalities in your mouth. The steps we will use are listed below:

• First, we will have you rinse your mouth for about one minute using a VISILITE Plus pre-rinse solution. Then we will use the chemiluminescent light inside your mouth to identify any potential lesions.
• If any possible cancerous signs are spotted, they will be stained with the T-Blue 630 as potential hot spots.
• After these stained blue spots are thoroughly examined and we determine some evidence that it could be cancer, the best path for treatment will probably be to refer you to an oral cancer specialist for a more accurate diagnosis.

This oral cancer examination is non-invasive, simple, and fast, only a few minutes to complete. Our patients have always been comfortable knowing that we utilize VISILITE technology to ensure their oral health is in excellent condition.

The earliest possible detection is always of extreme importance when dealing with any likely cancer, and we think it is always better to be safe than sorry. If you feel the same way, please call us to schedule an annual oral cancer screening.