When you visit Twinkle Family Dental Care for a routine cleaning, our dentists are doing more than just checking for “holes.” We are performing a life-saving oral cancer screening.

In Kenya, oral cancer is often diagnosed at a very late stage because it rarely hurts in the beginning. It might look like a simple mouth sore or a white patch that “just won’t go away.”

What We Look For:

• Lesions: Any red or white patches on the floor of the mouth or the sides of the tongue.
• Lumps: Unexplained thickening of the cheek or neck tissues.
• Asymmetry: Any changes in the way your jaw moves or your tongue feels.

Risk Factors: While tobacco and heavy alcohol use are the primary risks, the rise of the HPV virus means that even non-smokers are at risk. Early detection has a 90% survival rate. Waiting until it “hurts” drops that rate significantly. This is why your 6-month check-up at Twinkle isn’t just about a “pretty smile”—it’s about your total health.