Dentistry in Toledo and Maumee, OH

General Dentistry

Oral Cancer Screenings

Each year, an estimated 30,000 Americans will receive an oral cancer diagnosis, and over 8,000 people will not survive. Certain risk factors, including age, gender, tobacco use, and alcohol consumption may increase your risk for oral cancer, but 25 percent of all oral cancer occurrences happen to people with no risk factors at all.

If caught early, the survival rate for oral cancer increases significantly. We want to protect our patients, so we regularly screen for oral cancer, during routine checkups, with a VELscope. If we only screen visually, Dr. Frankel and Dr. Puhl would just find potentially abnormal cells that we can see on the surface. The VELscope allows us to recognize tissue that may need more attention. With the VELscope, healthy tissue has a green glow, and suspicious areas appear dark.

Potential Signs of Oral Cancer:

• Any sore or discolored area of your mouth that does not heal in two weeks or less
• A lump or mass which can be felt inside the mouth or neck
• Continued pain or difficulty in swallowing, speaking, or chewing
• Any wart-like masses
• Hoarseness which lasts for a long time
• Numbness in the oral/facial region.
• Unilateral, persistent earache

Visit Dr. Frankel and Dr. Puhl for outstanding dental care. From our Toledo and Maumee dental offices, we welcome patients from Sylvania, Ottawa Hills, Perrysburg, Whitehouse, and the surrounding areas. Contact us today to schedule your complimentary consultation.

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