When most people come to see a dentist they have concerns regarding their teeth or gums. Very few people make a dental appointment because they are concerned about oral cancer. However, one American dies every hour from oral cancer. Late detection of oral cancer is the primary cause that both the incidence and mortality rates of oral cancer continue to increase. Since Dr. Neil Brown opened his dental practice in Rosenberg in 1978, he has performed a visual cancer screening at each comprehensive exam. The dental hygienists then perform a visual cancer check at each recare visit.  However, new technology has become available to detect oral cancer at the earliest stages, well before the human eye can pick up these changes in the mouth. Dr. Brown has recently incorporated ViziLite Plus into his oral screening standard of care to identify these suspicious areas at their earliest stages, when the opportunity for a cure is greatest. ViziLite Plus is similar to other proven early detection procedures for cancers such as mammography, Pap smear and PSA screenings. It is a simple and painless examination that gives the best chance to find any oral abnormalities at the earliest possible stage. This enhanced FDA approved exam is recognized by the American Dental Association code revision as procedure code D0431.

There are a number of risk factors that contribute to oral cancer. As with most cancers, age is the primary risk factor. Tobacco and alcohol use are other major predisposing risk factors, but more than 25% of all oral cancer victims have no such lifestyle factors. People classified as an increased risk are those ages 18 to 39 and sexually active patients of all ages. Considered high risk are people 40 and older and any age tobacco user within the last 10 years. The highest risk are people 40 and older who have lifestyle risk factors such as tobacco and/or alcohol use or a previous history of oral cancer. According to the Oral Cancer Foundation, young people who have none of the historic risk factors are the fastest growing segment of oral cancer patients in the country. They believe this trend is due to the surge in cases of HPV16, the same virus that causes cervical cancer.

Dr. Brown’s practice continually looks for advances to ensure they are providing the optimum level of oral health care to every patient. Dr. Brown believes early detection of pre-cancerous tissue can minimize or eliminate the potentially disfiguring effects of oral cancer and possibly save your life. He and his team of trained dental professionals are happy to be able to now offer the ViziLite Plus exam annually. The oral cancer exam is performed immediately following a regular visual examination and is quick and painless. For more information regarding the ViziLite Plus screening, log on to www.vizilite.com.  If you would like to schedule an appointment for this procedure, call Dr. Brown’s office at 281-342-1517.