As you are probably aware, you are paying a monthly premium for your dental benefits. Premiums are what you pay the company to carry your coverage. If you are paying your dental benefit premiums every month, you should certainly use your benefits. Whether or not anyone in your family has a dental problem, every family member should have regular dental... read more »

During April, we continue our focus on Oral Cancer Awareness. The lifestyle habits that increase the chances of developing Oral Cancer include the use of smokeless or chewing tobacco, smoking, and also exposure to the sun. It is a myth to consider chewing tobacco a ‘safer’ form of tobacco use as compared to smoking. The chemicals in the juice of... read more »

Today’s dental warning sign might just save your life if you pay attention to it. Sore spots in your mouth that won’t go away are more than just an inconvenience – they just might be the indicators of oral cancer. Sure, it’s common for people to bite their inner cheek due to stress or habit – or even while they... read more »

Typically, men older than 50 are diagnosed most often with oral cancer, and it is more commonly diagnosed in men than women.   One of the main causes of oral cancer is the use of chewing tobacco, an unhealthy habit more common among men than women. Exposure to the sun can cause cancer on lips that may not have been protected.... read more »

Like many Americans, you may be unaware of how serious this disease is; an estimated 43,250 people in the United States will be diagnosed with oral cancer this year.  April is Oral Cancer Awareness month, and the Oral Cancer Foundation (OCF) has invited us to join them in their national screening campaign to increase awareness.  An oral cancer screening is... read more »

Oral Cancer occurs most commonly on the “floor” of the mouth (under the tongue), along the inside of the cheeks or lips, along the gum line, or the palate or “roof” of the mouth. Though oral cancer is not as common as other forms of cancer, approximately 40,000 Americans are diagnosed with oral cancer every year. Since oral cancer can... read more »

Early detection is extremely important with any cancer diagnosis, and this is true for oral cancer. Oral cancer certainly can be life-threatening, but the earlier it is diagnosed, the chances for a patient’s survival increases. Currently, only around 60% of oral cancer patients will survive past the first five years after diagnosis, but 80-90% of oral cancer patients who are diagnosed... read more »

To reduce your risks of oral cancer, it is strongly recommended to stop tobacco use in any form, limit your alcohol intake to no more than two servings a day, and eat a diet rich in fruits and vegetables. A recent study on oral cancer that suggests increasing fruits and vegetables in your diet reduces your risk for oral cancer due... read more »