Though it may not be as talked about as other types of cancer, oral cancer is just as dangerous – maybe even more so because it can be present without remarkable symptoms. That may be why, according to the American Cancer Society, it is one of the cancers for which the death rate has actually increased. In fact, the Oral Cancer Foundation reports that over 49,000 Americans are diagnosed with oral cancer every year. It’s easy to see why The Dental Group of Galesburg places so much emphasis on oral cancer screenings for all of our patients. It’s also why, Dr. Cody Krech, your trusted family dentist in Galesburg, has invested in advanced technology to help us more accurately and efficiently catch oral cancer early when it is still treatable. In addition to our visual/manual screening which we perform at every single cleaning, we offer:
- VELscope detection – The VELscope is an early detection device used to find a variety of oral diseases including cancer and pre-cancer. The VELscope emits a safe blue light into your mouth. If abnormalities are present, they will glow, showing the contrast between normal tissue and unhealthy tissue that can’t be seen by the naked eye.
- ViziLite exams – ViziLite is another quick and simple tool that helps us spot abnormal or precancerous cells. All you have to do is rinse your mouth with a special screening solution. If you have any abnormal cells, the ViziLite will illuminate them.
Why risk your health? Ask us about scheduling an oral cancer screening today!
