The occurrence of oral cancer is more common than one might
think. In fact, it's as common as leukemia and claims more
lives each year than either melanoma or cervical cancer.
That is why the American Cancer Society recommends oral
cancer screening as a part of routine cancer-related
check-ups. However, doctors don't examine individuals for
oral cancer, dentists do.
There are several warning signs of oral cancer. Some
examples are listed below:
A sore that bleeds easily or doesn't heal;
A color change of any oral tissues;
A lump or thickening or oral tissues;
A white patch, red spot or small sore;
Pain, tenderness or numbness anywhere in the mouth or on
the lips;
Difficulty chewing, swallowing, speaking or moving the
tongue or jaw; and
A change in the way your teeth fit together.
Here is the very good news. Most oral cancers can be
prevented by avoiding the risk factors. Listed below are
some of the rick factors to avoid:
Tobacco use in any form;
Alcohol use combined with smoking;
Prolonged exposure to the sun;
More likely to strike after the age of 40;
More than 25% of oral cancers occur in people who do not
smoke and have no other risk factors;
Pre-cancerous spots can develop into cancer if not detected
early and removed.
In addition, according to the American Cancer Society,
eating a healthy, balanced diet of ant least five servings
of fruits and vegetables daily may provided some protection
against oral cancer.
Lip cancers can be prevented by avoiding unprotected sun
exposure, as well as pipe and cigar tobacco. In order to
detect oral cancer at any early, curable stage, your
dentist should examine the lips, tongue and mouth for any
abnormal changes during a six month examination.
Prevention is so important that oral self-examination
between dental visits is recommended. Whether you notice
something unusual or whether the dentist detects something
during an examination, the good news is that most of the
spots are harmless. The problem is that harmful spots look
identical to those that are harmless. Only specialized lab
testing can tell them apart. If you notice anything
unusual, do not delay. For your peace of mind, you should
schedule a complete dental exam. Find a local dentist who
is aware of and active in the screening for oral cancers.
A dentist is not just available to work with teeth. A
dentist is looking to all areas of the mouth to make sure
that the patient remains healthy.
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Dr. Siegel is a Chicago area dentist treating patients for
more than 20 years. For more information, visit
http://www.chicago-dental.com .
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