HAVE YOU HAD ONE? IT COULD SAVE YOUR LIFE!

Oral cancer is one of the most curable diseases when caught early.

Early identification of abnormal cells leads to better diagnosis and more successful treatment. VELscope™ technology is innovative and enhances our ability to identify abnormalities not yet visible to the unaided eye. The exam is simple, painless and fast, and could help save your life.

VELscope™ is an FDA-cleared device for the identification and monitoring of oral abnormalities that could lead to cancer. It allows even small changes in soft tissues to be identified early, thus, leading to early diagnosis and treatment of this disease.

Every hour of every day, one American dies of oral cancer. However, when caught early, it is one of the most treatable diseases. With early diagnosis, treatment is quicker, less invasive, and more than 90% successful. The most common sites for oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma are the lateral borders (sides) of the tongue, lip, the floor of the mouth, and the soft palate (roof).

How does the VELscope™ work?
After a conventional “white light” exam by the doctor or hygienist, the VELscope™ handpiece (which emits a safe blue light) is used to examine tissues. The special, patented optical filter in the handpiece let the doctor or hygienist view the different tissue levels. Healthy tissue looks green, and abnormal tissue is identified when a color change is noted.

VELscope™ technology helps our team identify potentially dangerous growths that might have been missed with the naked eye! The VELscope™ exam takes only 2 to 3 minutes to complete and could save your life!

A mammogram, PAP smear, and the PSA tests are currently used to identify breast, cervical, and prostate cancer, respectively, the VELscope™ is a technology available to help our dental team diagnose oral cancer earlier.

Exams using the ViziLite® are recommended for anyone over age 18 because 25% of oral cancers are discovered in patients with no lifestyle risk factors. The procedure is recommended more frequently for individuals who are over age 40, smoke, and have other risk factors linked to oral cancer.

The American Cancer Society has recommended that individuals “have a complete oral soft tissue exam at least once a year.” In addition, you can help yourself by examining your mouth and seeing the dentist regularly. Lips, gums, cheeks, tongue, palate (roof of mouth), and floor (underneath tongue) should be examined on a regular basis. If found, the following should be reported to the dentist:

• Lumps, tissue thickening, rough or crusty spots
• Sores that don’t heal or bleed easily
  
• Color changes of tissues (ex. red or white spots) inside the mouth or on the lips
• Small “eroded” areas
• Pain, tenderness, or numbness anywhere inside the mouth or on the lips
• Difficulty with chewing, swallowing, speaking, or moving the tongue or jaw
• Voice changes not related to puberty
• A change in the way the teeth fit together

Other signs to look for and report to your health care professional include any drastic weight loss and/or lump in the neck region. If there is ever anything you are unsure of, be sure to give us a call. Your good health is far too important to ignore!

There are steps you can take to lower oral cancer risk.

1. Quit using tobacco products (cigarettes, cigars, pipes, chewing products).
2. Protect your lips when outside, especially if you will have prolonged exposure to the sun.
3. Eat a variety of fruit and vegetables. Studies have shown they decrease other forms of cancer.
4. Avoid excessive use of alcohol.

Remember, there is no substitution for regular dental visits. The well-trained, knowledgeable dental staff knows the early warning signs for oral cancer (and other diseases) and should already be performing thorough oral and neck examinations, twice annually, during routine hygiene appointments. In our office, we do just that!

Because early detection is necessary to increase the chance for successful treatment, an annual ViziLite® exam, in combination with visual and palpated examinations, provides the most comprehensive screening procedure for the early identification of oral tissue abnormalities and may just save your life!

If you have not been receiving a thorough evaluation, would like to make an appointment, or have any other questions, please call our office!

Fore more information about VELscope™ visit www.velscope.com