Unfortunately, there are too many people that are affected by oral cancer and not enough people who are aware of how to avoid the disease. This month is National Oral Cancer Awareness Month, which is why your dentist in Williamstown wants to take the time to discuss the disease.
In this week’s blog post, we’re going to be talking about the signs of oral cancer, risk factors, and how your dentist can help you stay on top of oral cancer with regular screenings. Continue reading to learn more.
Risk Factors for Oral Cancer
Believe it or not, oral cancer doesn’t solely affect tobacco users. It can affect anyone! It’s true that tobacco users increase their chances of developing oral cancer by at least a third, but that’s not the only risk factor out there. If you consume large amounts of alcohol or use both tobacco and alcohol at the same time, you’re putting yourself at risk.
If you happen to be a user of either substance, regular (maybe even more frequent) dental visits should be apart of your normal routine—although it’s best to quit these bad habits, anyway. Your dentist will be able to examine your current oral health and educate you on what to look out for at home.
The Signs of The Disease
The early warning signs and symptoms of oral cancer include…
- Abnormal swelling in or around the mouth.
- Lesions in the mouth—especially around or underneath the tongue.
- Swollen lymph nodes in the neck behind or around the ears.
- Persistent sores, lumps, or bumps around or inside the mouth.
- A sore throat or a change in the tone of voice.
- Numbness that lasts in the mouth or around the lips.
Dental Assistance is Necessary
Now that we’ve discussed what to look out for and how to avoid oral cancer, you should know how and why visiting a dentist is so important. Getting an early oral cancer screening in Williamstown can save your life!
The statistics of surviving oral cancer are dramatically lower if you allow it to advance to the later stages of development. Addressing the symptoms of oral cancer early on—no matter how subtle they may be—can be the one thing that saves you from the dire consequences.
The oral cancer screening is a visual and tactile examination of your mouth, throat, lips, tongue, and cheeks. Your family dentist in Williamstown will look out for bumps, lumps, and any other abnormalities that could point to the development of the disease. In the case that anything is noticed, it can be addressed right here in the office.
When was your last oral cancer screening? Regular examinations are key to the early detection that could save your life.
About Our Office
When you choose to visit iSmile Dental Arts, you know that our team does more than take care of your mouth—we work to care for your whole-body health! Your well-being is our top priority. Learn more about how our team may be able to help you by giving us a call today.
