OKLAHOMA CITY – When you go to the dentist office for your six month checkup, you’re usually hoping for no cavities and clean teeth, but now some dentists are looking for something else, oral cancer.

“Oral cancer does seem to appear more on the side of the tongue and under the tongue,” said Dr. Kristie Haller, D.D.S.

It’s a small checkup at Masterpiece Smiles, but it’s worth the extra time it takes.

The Oral Cancer Foundation estimates more than 43,000 people in the United States will be diagnosed with mouth cancers this year. It’s a climbing statistic.

“A lot of it is related to the new HPV, the human papilloma virus. Especially the ’16 strain’ which is common in a lot of cervical cancers,” Dr. Kristie Haller, D.D.S. said.

Dr. Haller says more youth are diagnosed with HPV, which is contributing to more 20 and 30-year-olds being diagnosed with oral cancer.

Research also says you have a greater risk of dying from mouth cancer than some common cancers including cervical cancer and Hodgkin’s lymphoma.

One of the factors is a late diagnosis.

A majority of oral cancer occurs in the tongue, floor of the mouth, and throat region.

“The problem with oral cancer is that it goes undetected and it spreads,” Dr. Haller said. “A lot of them don’t have signs or symptoms and so they don’t find it until it’s in their lymph nodes and has spread and metastasized into other areas of their body.”

It’s why this dentist office recommends staying on top of the screenings.

“You know we all burn our mouth of hot coffee or burnt pizza so if you just notice something that doesn’t feel right or doesn’t look right, it’s always best to call,” Dr. Haller said.

Smoking and drinking together is a huge contributor as well.

The American Dental Association says doing those two together can significantly increase your chances of getting mouth cancer.