It looks like a simple glow stick, but experts said it's a powerful new tool to help detect oral cancer.

Oral cancer is one of the deadliest cancers because the disease is usually diagnosed at advanced stages. If it's caught early, before it's visible to the naked eye, experts said oral cancer is 90 percent curable.

Dr. Tracey Smith of Whittaker Road Dental in Ypsilanti Township cautioned everyone is potentially at risk.

"The highest risk patient is the one that smokes and drinks and is over the age of 40," said Smith, "but there is 25 percent of the population who doesn't have any of the risk factors that can still get oral cancer."

Experts reported only half of those patients diagnosed with oral cancer survive five years, and those who do survive may face significant problems.

"People lose jaws, they lose half their tongues. It can be very hard to live a good lifestyle, if they do have oral cancer," said Smith.

Doctors hope a new test will help detect oral cancer before it reaches an advanced stage.

The test is called Vizilite. First, the patient rinses with a special mouthwash that tastes like vinegar. The dentist then uses a special glow stick to carefully examine the patient's mouth and tongue. Any abnormal tissue will appear white. If the dentist sees a suspicious spot, it can be tested further with a blue dye.

"If it stays blue, then that's usually a pretty good indication that it is oral cancer, and we move it to the oral surgeon right away so they can do a biopsy," explained Smith.

The Vizilite test costs about $70 and is covered by some insurance plans.

To learn more about the test, click here.

For more information on Whittaker Road Dental, click here.