When was the last time you visited the dentist? For many, it’s been too long. Going to the dentist is not just about getting your teeth cleaned, fixing a cavity, or making your teeth straight. Certainly, those are all wonderful things. But what many people don’t realize is how important our dentist is to our health. Our mouth is like the window to our health; everything begins with our oral cavity. What we eat, drink, inhale, all affects our body and health. Usually, poor oral health is the first sign for other health problems. A great example of this is Oral Cancer.
What Is Oral Cancer, Signs And Symptoms
Oral cancer is the uncontrollable growth of mutated cells in the mouth, including the tongue, cheeks, lips, tonsil, and more. The good news is, it’s visible to the naked eye and often times, looks like a mouth sore. The bad news is, it looks like a mouth sore. You see, the scariest thing about oral cancer is that it’s able to disguise itself to look like a normal non threatening sore you easily get from biting your tongue or cheek, or from agitating areas in your mouth that is caused by a loose bridge or denture. But the key difference between a normal mouth sore and a potential oral cancer cell is persistency. In general, a major red flag for sores in the mouth is if the sore persists longer than 2 weeks. When this happens, seek your dentist or professional health provider immediately for an oral cancer screening. Like all types of cancer, oral cancer starts out small and will rapidly spread if left untreated.
For additional signs and symptoms, refer to the list below:
• Swellings, bumps, or crusted spots on the lips, gums, or other areas inside the mouth
• Patches of velvety white, red, or speckled (white and red) in the mouth
• Random bleeding in the mouth
• Feelings of numbness or pain in any area of the face, mouth, or neck
• Persistent sores in or around the mouth that do not heal within 2 weeks
• Feelings of something that is caught in the back of the throat
• Feelings of pain when chewing or swallowing, or speaking
• Hoarseness in voice
• Ear pain
• Looseness in your dentures or teeth
• Dramatic weight loss
Oral Cancer, The Facts
According to the Oral Cancer Foundation, over 40,000 Americans will be diagnosed with oral cancer in 2015. It is projected to kill more than 8,000 people, or about 1 person every hour, of every day. Historically, the majority of people diagnosed with oral cancer are over the age of 40 and have been predominantly men. However, more and more under the age of 40 are being diagnosed with oral cancer. This is largely attributed to the increased use of cigarette and chewing tobacco among younger adults. With respect to gender, the average ratio of women to men that are diagnosed have increased from 1 in every 6, to 1 in every 2. This trend is also believed to be due to the increase in popularity of cigarette use among women.
Am I At Risk
The main cause of oral cancer is still lifestyle choices. Extended use of tobacco products and alcohol consumption are the two main culprits. Second hand smoke also puts you at a higher risk. Other factors like age (especially over 40), overexposure to ultraviolet radiation, and diet also puts you at a greater risk.
Oral Cancer, Diagnosis And Treatment
Oral cancer can easily be screened during your routine dental visit. Your dentist will thoroughly examine your oral cavity, specifically looking at the base and underside of your tongue, the roof of your mouth, and along the insides of your lips and cheeks, to determine if there are any irregular tissue activities. In addition, your head, neck, and face are also examined for any signs of oral cancer. Any suspicious sores or discolored tissue detected will be further tested via a biopsy. The test is painless and allows for a small tissue sample to be extracted and analyzed. If a positive test results, you will be notified and recommended for treatment. Similar to other cancer, treatment will require the removal of the cancerous growth by a qualified doctor or specialist. Following surgery, radiation or chemotherapy may be needed to destroy any remaining remnants of cancer tissue. We cannot stress the importance of regular dental checkups in the prevention and early detection of oral cancer.
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Written by Dr. Kim H. Nguyen
Owner of Mint Dental OC and is a leading dentist in Southern California.
