Letter to the Editor, Preventing Oral Cancer

In an effort to educate young athletes and their families on the importance of good oral health, the dangers of tobacco use, and the prevention of oral cancer, Aspen Dental is proud to be partnering with Oral Health America (OHA) to support OHA’s National Spit Tobacco Education Program (NSTEP) during the Little League Baseball World Series, Aug. 21-30, in Williamsport.

Youth education is particularly important because prevention and early detection are keys in fighting the battle against oral cancer. Certain risk factors such as family history and alcohol and tobacco use can contribute to the development of oral cancer, but nearly 25 percent of oral cancer patients have no known risk factors.

Tragically, this type of cancer is too often discovered late in development or when it has metastasized to another location. This doesn’t have to happen.

Oral cancer exams are part of routine dental exams. Advanced screening technologies detect oral cancer at its earliest stages. Prevention and early detection are keys in fighting the battle against oral cancer.

In addition to visiting your dentist twice a year for exams and cleaning, you can help minimize your risk for oral cancer through proper diet, use of sunscreen on lips, reducing tobacco and alcohol consumption, and avoiding high risk sexual behaviors.

Again, familiarize yourself with the risk factors and visit your dentist regularly for oral cancer screenings to help prevent this deadly disease. And be sure to talk with your children about the risks of using tobacco products.

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Dr. Arwinder Judge is vice president of clincal support at Aspen Dental Management, Inc

Click here to read the original in The Express