When people think about oral health, they typically think of their semi-annual visit to the dentist to get their teeth cleaned. Most people don’t visit an oral surgeon unless they encounter more serious oral health problems that need to be addressed… but are they forgetting something?
Top NYC oral surgeon Dr. Ghazal Mahjoubi says everyone should come in for regular oral health screenings. They are so simple and painless, and they can help to reduce or prevent serious oral health issues in the future.
One of the main reasons to get regular oral health screenings is to ensure you have no signs of oral cancer. In addition to regular screenings, it can also be helpful to understand what the main causes of oral cancer are.
Causes of Oral Cancer In Humans:
- Tobacco use (i.e., cigarettes, cigars, chewing tobacco, etc.)
- Heavy use of alcohol
- Unprotected/excessive exposure of the lips to the sun
- HPV – human papillomavirus
- A compromised immune system
What happens during a typical oral health screening?
During an oral health screening, the doctor will examine your lips, tongue, teeth, gums, roof of your mouth, inside of your cheeks, and your neck. She will be looking for any signs of disease, abscess, or trauma.
The procedure is gentle and thorough, and can be completed within just a few minutes. Take a moment and schedule your oral health screening today!
