Have you had your oral cancer screening yet? Over 30,000 new oral cancer cases are discovered each year. Unfortunately, many of these cases have already progressed into the dangerous late stages of the disease. Far too many oral cancer patients skip out on the routine dental exams that could have caught the disease in its early stages, when it’s most treatable. Oral cancer screenings are short, painless exams. During the exam, Dr. Long will look for physical warning signs inside of your mouth, and around your face and neck. He will check for abnormalities such as: red or white patches, mouth sores, and lumps. As with other cancers, early detection is critical to successful treatment outcomes. Semi-annual oral cancer screenings are the most effective method for finding the disease in its highly curable stages. Protect your oral and overall health; make an appointment with Dr. Robert Long or Dr. Chris Long for your oral cancer screening today. Long Family Dental is the leading Waxahachie general dentist office. Dr. Robert Long and Dr. Chris Long proudly serve families daily throughout Waxahachie, Midlothian, Cleburne, and the surrounding communities.
What Causes Oral Cancer?
Men are twice as likely to develop oral cancer as women. By far, tobacco use is the leading risk factor for oral cancer. However, contraction of the human Papilloma Virus (HPV) is quickly closing the gap as a leading cause of the disease. While there is still a higher incidence of the disease among older people, this shift has increased the number of oral cancer cases among people under 50, making younger people the fastest growing segment of oral cancer patients. HPV in oral cancer patients tends to reside in the back of the mouth, in the tonsils, or at the base of the tongue, making it that much more difficult to detect without an oral cancer screening. Excessive alcohol use and excessive sun exposure can also heighten your risk for developing the disease.
What Are the Symptoms of Oral Cancer?
If you experience any of the following symptoms, you should immediately make an appointment for an oral cancer screening with your general dentist Waxahachie:
- A mouth sore that doesn’t heal after a few weeks
- White or red patches anywhere in or around the mouth
- Unexplained swelling in the mouth that won’t go away
General Dentist Waxahachie Appointments
Remember, your health is your wealth. Make an investment in your long term wellbeing and schedule an oral cancer screening appointment with Dr. Robert Long or Dr. Chris Long at Long Family Dental today. Long Family Dental is a trusted Waxahachie general dentist office. Dr. Robert Long and Dr. Chris Long proudly restore smiles daily throughout Waxahachie, Midlothian, Cleburne, and nearby areas.
Just one missing tooth can spell trouble with a capital T. Obviously, there is the consequence to your smile. In fact, for many people a missing tooth can keep them from smiling. But beyond your smile, one or more missing teeth can lead to oral and general health problems. Thankfully, there are dental implants to replace missing teeth. Dr. Robert Long and Dr. Chris Long at 
Many people may not know this, but having healthy gums is absolutely crucial to you having a healthy, beautiful smile. Your gums are the foundation to your smile, and if they are compromised in any sort of negative way, the effects can be detrimental. Gum disease plagues over 80 percent of Americans, and many of them do not know that they are living with the disease. Because 
With everything in life, things go through wear and tear. Whether your favorite shirt has a hole in it or you car has a scratch, life definitely has a way of leaving evidence. Unfortunately, the same logic is applied to your smile. Throughout the years, your smile may have dulled in color, gotten chipped, stained, and cracked. Over the course of the time, the hard knocks that seemed small in the beginning can really alter the overall aesthetic of your smile. Thankfully, 
One of the things people really strive for is a bright, beautiful smile. When you have an amazingly radiant smile, it gives the impression of health and vitality. When you are not confident in the way your smile looks because of its lackluster appearance, it can be disheartening. Though you may think there is nothing you can do to make your smile shine bright, 
Almost every parent can agree that getting their children to do what they want them to do is a very difficult task. Whether it is eating healthy foods or going to bed at the same time every night, having your children do what is necessary for their health can be a daunting task. One of those things may be getting them to brush their teeth. Getting children to brush their teeth has been a notoriously difficult task for many parents, and they may be wondering how they can make the experience enjoyable for their kids. Luckily, 
With summer right around the corner, one of the things many people are doing is making sure they look their summer best! Whether it is getting your beach body ready or getting their hair done in time for the backyard barbecue, many people want to make sure they are in tip top shape in order to fully enjoy their summer vacation! One thing that may not get as much attention is your smile. There is no doubt you will be meeting and reconnecting with tons of people this summer, and your smile is the first thing they are going to see. If you want to make sure you have a seamless, flawless smile, 
Having insecurities about your smile can really affect the way you interact with others and yourself. You may cover your mouth when you laugh or smile, or do not think you make a lasting first impression when you smile. Though you may not think anything can help you with your smile, 
There are very few things more frustrating than a bad night’s sleep. Sleeping gives your brain a chance to recharge and your body to rest, and when that is interrupted, it can be extremely disappointing. Waking up groggy or irritable, louder-than-normal snoring, and sleepiness throughout the day are a only a few symptoms that you are suffering from 
Living in pain is never an easy thing, especially when it comes to your teeth. Tooth pain can be excruciating, and doing nothing about the pain will only make it worse. If you are suffering from an ongoing tooth ache, it is most likely because your tooth is infected. Left untreated, an infected tooth can wreak havoc on the rest of your smile, leaving you with a much more expensive and painful result down the road. Long Family Dental understands the importance of making sure your smile is as health as it can be, which is why we offer