At Smiles by Glerum, Dr. Karen Glerum emphasizes the importance of routine oral cancer screenings as part of your overall dental health care. Like with any type of cancer, early detection can make a dramatic difference in treatment outcomes. Regular screenings serve as your first line of defense, helping identify concerns before they become more serious.

During your screening, Dr. Glerum will carefully examine your lips, tongue, gums, mouth, and throat for any abnormalities. She also considers any symptoms you may be experiencing. If you’ve noticed issues such as persistent mouth sores, unexplained bleeding, ear pain, red or white patches, lumps, difficulty swallowing, or a chronic sore throat, it’s important to schedule an appointment right away.

Oral cancer claims the life of one American every hour, and certain risk factors can increase your chances of developing it. These include tobacco use, excessive alcohol consumption, prolonged sun exposure, GERD, poor diet, and family history. Men are statistically more at risk than women.

The good news is that when caught early, oral cancers have an 80–90% survival rate. Early detection often allows for simpler, less invasive treatments, while advanced cases are harder to manage and may spread beyond the mouth.

Smiles by Glerum welcomes new patients and is committed to safeguarding your health with comprehensive screenings and personalized care. Contact our Boynton Beach office today to schedule your next appointment and stay proactive about your oral health.