919-682-5327 Oral cavity cancer is on the rise, and while in the past it occurred most in males over forty, oral cancer is becoming more common among women and younger patients. It can be found anywhere in the mouth and throat, and while it is deadly, it is highly survivable when caught early. Early detection is vital for successful treatment! And since more cases are diagnosed by dentists than doctors it is more important than ever to keep your annual dental checkups.
Depending on where the cancer is, and the size of the cancer, the most common treatment for oral cancer is surgery. Treatments include curing the cancer with surgery, controlling the cancer with treatment to make it progress less rapidly, and finally, easing symptoms if untreatable. Some signs you and your dentist or doctor should be looking for include:
Pain in your mouth that lingers
A lump or thickened area in the cheek
Ear pain
A white or red patch on the gums, tonsils, lining of the mouth or tongue
A sore throat or feeling that something is in the throat
Having a hard time swallowing or chewing
Numbness of the tongue or somewhere else in the mouth
Swelling in the jaw that makes your dentures hurt or no longer fit well
Loosening of teeth
Pain in the teeth or jaw
Changes in your voice
A lump in the neck
Losing weight for no apparent reason
Bad breath that never improves
A mouth sore that doesn’t go away
Having a hard time moving your jaw or tongue
Unusual bleeding in the mouth
Oral cancer can be cause by various factors, and your habits play a big role. Heavy alcohol consumption and smoking are the biggest risk factors. Even chewing tobacco is risky and certainly smoking cigarettes, pipes or cigars. If you regularly do both you are at higher risk. Sunbathing regularly and over exposing your lips can cause lip cancer. Women with the HPV-human papillomavirus are on the rise for oral cancer. And finally, eating a poor diet and poor dental hygiene habits can put you at risk for mouth cancers.
With this New Year, incorporating new habits can save your life! If you currently smoke, look into a tobacco cessation program. Lower your alcohol consumption and aim for a healthy, balanced diet. If you are at risk, you can get vaccinated for HPV, and perhaps the easiest change of all, make sure to protect your lips with sun block when sunbathing. Continue to care for your teeth and gums every single day with a thorough brushing and flossing routine, and see your dentist twice a year for checkups and cleanings.
If you would like more information, or schedule your next checkup, you can reach our caring staff at 919-682-5327.