{"id":139,"date":"2018-07-30T18:53:55","date_gmt":"2018-07-30T18:53:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.boston-dentist.com\/blog\/?p=139"},"modified":"2018-07-30T18:53:55","modified_gmt":"2018-07-30T18:53:55","slug":"dentist-boston-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.boston-dentist.com\/blog\/dentist-boston-2\/","title":{"rendered":"One More Reason Not to Skip Visits to the Dentist in Boston"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"womanMost people know they should visit the dentist twice annually, but they file it away along with recommendations like getting \u201c8 hours of sleep\u201d or \u201chalf an hour of cardiovascular exercise\u201d daily — aspirational goals that don\u2019t usually happen. But when it comes to protecting you from a host of health issues, including oral cancer, routine dental care<\/span><\/a> is absolutely crucial as you get older. Keep reading to learn more about how from your dentist in Boston.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Oral Cancer Risk<\/span><\/h2>\n

Oral cancer is on the rise in the United States, with estimates saying that one person dies per hour due to cancer of the lips, cheeks, tongue, hard or soft palate, or throat (collectively known as oral cancer). This disease is not only limited to senior citizens or people who smoke (though these are significant risk factors, too). With the quick rise in cases of the human papillomavirus (HPV), oral cancer has increased as well. This means younger patients, especially men, are more at risk of developing oral cancer than ever. <\/span><\/p>\n

Early Detection Is Crucial<\/span><\/h2>\n

The high death rate of oral cancer is due to the fact that the disease is often not caught until it has advanced to the later stages. Therefore, a significant factor in the successful treatment of oral cancer is how early it is detected. With a routine oral cancer exam performed at least once a year, your dentist can evaluate your mouth and surrounding structures for evidence or precancerous or cancerous tissue. <\/span><\/p>\n

An oral cancer exam is a simple screening that can be completed within minutes at the end of a routine checkup and cleaning. <\/span><\/p>\n

During this screening, your dentist will be on the lookout for:<\/span><\/p>\n