Whey There's No Test for HPV Oral Cancers

The rise of HPV-related oropharyngeal cancers and the Center for Disease Control’s recent declaration that boys should get vaccinated, as well as girls, has made the public aware of another potential risk to their health. The Oral Surgery Consultants of Pennsylvania are ready to help people undergoing treatments for oral pathogens. However, there is not yet any effective way of testing specifically for HPV mouth and throat cancers.

HPV is very common, and usually harmless. While it is possible to test for HPV in a person’s mouth, only 1 percent of HPV infections become cancerous, while 80 percent of American adults are expected to have HPV at some point. Furthermore, the oropharynx is too far back to be easily observed with the tools used to detect cancers of the mouth, which are much more common, and the tissues of the throat are so creviced that scraping a small portion of them would be unlikely to catch cancerous cells even if they are present.

The best way of detecting oropharynx cancers is with visual and tactile examinations. These won’t find anything until after cancer has progressed, but they do often catch cancer in time to treat it effectively. They also may not identify HPV particularly as the cause, but doctors and patients are learning what to look out for.

 Oral Surgery Consultants of Pennsylvania performs oral biopsies.. To schedule an appointment, call 215-463-4141 or visit OralSurgeryPA.com and fill out a contact sheet.

 

Thank You for Your Reviews!

Here at Oral Surgery Consultants of Pennsylvania, our staff appreciates feedback from our customers because it teaches us how to improve as a team. Our staff would not only like to thank Sherisse for this five-star review, but we would like to thank her for being an excellent patient. If you recently experienced exceptional service from our office, please let us know!  

"From the moment we walked in the door the staff was very welcoming. Also, like so many times at other physicians’ offices, we didn't have to wait forever to be seen but only about 10 minutes. Thank you for that, I have a really bad back so sitting for a long time is very painful. The nurse who took my X-rays and blood pressure was very hospitable as well as informing. The doctor was very professional yet friendly and caring. The person with regard to payment and cost for future work was very professional and kind and we so appreciated the doctor's kindness in giving us a break on the cost for the day and the future visit. Once we know that we have obtained the monies for the procedure we will call for an appointment. Again, thank you.” –Sherrisse 

If you would like to leave a testimonial or are interested in learning more about the services we provide at the practice, visit www.oralsurgerypa.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with one of our doctors at Oral Surgery Consultants of Pennsylvania located in Philadelphia, call 215-463-4141. 

Implants and Oral Hygiene

At Oral Surgery Consultants of Pennsylvania, we want to remind you that caring for teeth restored with dental implants is just like caring for your natural teeth. It’s important to brush, floss and maintain regular dental cleanings and checkups as scheduled. While replacement teeth can’t get cavities, they are subject to the same wear-and-tear as natural teeth. It is up to you to properly care for your dental implants, therefore, the next time you brush them you should utilize these tips.

• Start with the outer and inner surfaces, and brush at a 45-degree angle. Don’t forget your back teeth!


• Move on to the chewing surfaces. Hold the brush flat and brush back and forth along these surfaces.


• Once you get to the inside surfaces of your front teeth, tilt the brush vertically and use gentle up-and-down strokes with the tip of the brush.


• Be sure to brush your teeth gently along the gum line and don’t forget to floss!


• If you have further questions about maintaining your dental implant care routine, make sure to speak with your dentist.

 

Philadelphia, call 215-463-4141.