Take Charge Of Your Mouth - Understand How To Detect And Prevent Oral Cancer

In the United States alone, oral cancer is one of the most common cancers

. According to the American Cancer Society, more than 28,000 cases of oral cancer are diagnosed annually. Oral cancer may occur on the mouth, lips, tongue, gums, salivary glands, and throat. It is important to take every precaution available to avoid oral cancer.

With advancements in dental technology and treatment, your dentist can now easily detect oral cancer early, when the opportunity for cure is the greatest. Your Islip cosmetic dentist has the skills and tools to ensure that early signs of cancer and pre-cancerous conditions are properly identified. Together, you and your dentist can fight and win the battle against oral cancer.

Understanding the Causes of Oral Cancer

There are numerous risk factors involved in developing cancer with the most typical being smoking. Smokers are up to six times more likely to develop cancer of the mouth and similarly, those who use smokeless tobacco such as snuff are at an even greater risk of developing oral cancer in the lining of the lips and the gums.

Alcohol can also increase your risk of developing oral cancer and so can excessive exposure to sunlight at a young age. Additionally, you are at an increased risk of developing cancer if it runs in your family, as there is a strong genetic factor involved.

What are the Signs and Symptoms?

Many patients who have been diagnosed with oral cancer commonly experience swelling and lumps inside their mouth or on the lips and gums. These may also appear as crusts, eroded patches and rough spots. Bleeding may occur for no reason and red or white patches in your mouth may develop.

Frequently, a loss in sensitivity is experienced in your mouth, face or neck and sores appear in similar areas as well. The sores bleed often and remain present for an extended period of time. Oral cancer may often begin with an asymptomatic stage during which symptoms may not be obvious and is often painless initially making it difficult to detect.

Signs of Oral Cancer May Include:

*Continuous pain in the mouth

*Sores and bumps inside the mouth, including ragged, ulcerous lesions

*Difficulty swallowing and chewing

*Difficulty moving the mouth and jaw

*Soreness in the throat

*Bump in the neck

*Pronounced pain in one ear

*Undiagnosed bleeding from the tongue, gums or cheeks

*Numbness in a specific area of the mouth or jaw

These signs do not necessarily signify cancer; they may be associated with early signs of cancer. Since oral cancer treatment is usually successful when performed in the early stages, any abnormal change in the mouth, gums, tongue or surrounding area should be evaluated by a dental professional immediately.

What is involved in Treatment and Prevention?

After a diagnosis from your dentist, a biopsy of the lesion is required to confirm the diagnosis. Surgery may be required, as well, to remove the tumors, which may cause disfiguration. Radiation therapy and chemotherapy may also be used as part of the treatment. In the end, your dentist will develop an oral cancer treatment plan based on the supporting diagnostic tests.

Since symptoms associated with oral cancer may be confused with other medical conditions, self-examinations should not replace seeing a dentist for oral care maintenance at least twice a year. When used in conjunction, periodic self-examination and regular dental hygiene visits can help promote early-stage detection of oral cancer. And remember, it is always best to see your dentist to properly evaluate your symptoms.

Visit your dentist in Islip for further diagnosis and treatment of oral cancer. In its earliest stages, your oral cancer may be treatable, so do not hesitate to get checked by your Islip dentist.

by: Gen Wright

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