{"id":3278,"date":"2021-04-12T15:30:38","date_gmt":"2021-04-12T15:30:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.thedentalexpress.com\/?p=3278"},"modified":"2024-03-07T01:23:18","modified_gmt":"2024-03-07T01:23:18","slug":"how-to-easily-identify-prevent-oral-cancer","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.thedentalexpress.com\/dental-blog\/how-to-easily-identify-prevent-oral-cancer\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Easily Identify & Prevent Oral Cancer"},"content":{"rendered":"
As humans, we\u2019re naturally stubborn.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n It\u2019s in our nature to think, \u201cThat\u2019ll never happen to me.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n But when it comes to oral and oropharyngeal cancer\u2013cancer of the mouth and upper throat\u2013it\u2019s better to be safe than sorry.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Many people believe that if they avoid tobacco and drink in moderation, they\u2019re safe from these conditions, but sadly, this isn\u2019t the case.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Even if you\u2019re diligent about your dental health, you could still be at risk.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n This April marks the 22nd annual Oral Cancer Awareness Month. So, we wanted to cover the early signs and symptoms to give you the knowledge you need to build a solid preventive foundation.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n And be sure to stay tuned. Later on in this blog, we\u2019ll share a resource showing you how to perform an oral cancer self-exam at home.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n According to the <\/span>Oral Cancer Foundation<\/a><\/strong> (OCF), someone dies of oral or oropharyngeal cancer every hour. Twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cThis year, an estimated 54,0001 new cases of oral cancer will be diagnosed. Of those individuals, 43 percent will not survive longer than five years, and many who do survive to suffer long-term problems, such as severe facial disfigurement or difficulties with eating and speaking. The death rate associated with oral and oropharyngeal cancers remains particularly high because the cancers routinely are discovered late in their development.\u201d<\/span><\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n <\/p>\n And it doesn\u2019t help that these cancers fall under the category of squamous cell carcinoma, which are known for how aggressive they can be.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n If you know the risk factors, you can minimize your chances of developing oral cancer and ensure your smile stays healthy.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Here\u2019s a list of traits and lifestyle factors that can increase your risk:<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n If you use tobacco, the sooner you quit, the better. That\u2019s much easier said than done, but remember, it\u2019s not just your dental health that\u2019s at stake. It\u2019s your life.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Quitting strategies like weaning off of tobacco, nicotine patches, and nicotine gum can be a great help if cold turkey is too difficult.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n When it comes to alcohol, the <\/span>Centers for Disease Control<\/a><\/strong> state that for men, heavy drinking is consuming 15 or more drinks per week. For women, eight or more drinks per week is considered excessive.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n If you hit these numbers, try to be more mindful of your alcohol consumption and drink in moderation.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n As we\u2019ve learned, the older we get, the higher our risk becomes. So the quicker we make these changes, the safe we\u2019ll be.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Since these cancers spread quickly, early detection is crucial. Screenings at your local San Diego are the best way to detect oral cancer early and take the necessary steps to protect your health.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n But there are signs and symptoms to look out for in between dentist visits that can alert you when there\u2019s a problem.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n This list from the OCF outlines the red flags to watch out for:<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n All these symptoms have something in common: they all have a knack for overstaying their welcome and not going away.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n As soon as you notice any of these signs or symptoms, schedule a checkup with your <\/span>San Diego dentist<\/a><\/strong> immediately. If you can walk in or make a same-day appointment, make it happen.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n We can\u2019t stress the importance of early detection enough. Being seen as soon as possible can mean the difference between life and becoming one of the stats we saw above.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n To check for oral cancer at home, you\u2019ll need three things:<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n If you don\u2019t have a handheld mirror, you can try using your bathroom mirror or another mirror in your house. Whichever one you choose, you\u2019ll need to get close enough to it to have a good look at the inside of your mouth.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n If you want to get fancy, the OCF offers a <\/span>\u201cCheck Your Mouth Kit\u201d<\/a><\/strong> that includes a small handheld mirror and a two-in-one throat scope light and tongue depressor for just $20.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n You can find an instructional video and in-depth description of how to perform your own oral cancer self-screening on the <\/span>OCF website.<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n If you think you\u2019re at high risk or just want to be on the safe side, you can do a self-exam between your annual dental checkups.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n There’s certainly no harm in doing an extra self-screening or two.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Oral Cancer Awareness Month is the perfect time to schedule an oral cancer exam.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n At Dental Express, we offer screenings at all six of our <\/span>San Diego locations<\/a><\/strong>. And if you notice any symptoms at home, we always accept walk-ins and same-day appointments.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Using a special light that illuminates cancerous tissue, we\u2019ll look inside your mouth and make sure you\u2019re clear of any lumps, spots, or swelling.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n If we find evidence of oral or oropharyngeal cancer, we\u2019ll create a plan to tackle the problem as soon as possible and do everything in our power to protect your health.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n If you have any questions about oral cancer or you\u2019d like to schedule an appointment, <\/span>give us a call.<\/a><\/strong> We\u2019re here to help you put your best smile forward.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n 7 Times You\u2019ll Need Emergency Dental Care<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n How Does Genetics Affect Your Dental Health?<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Need-to-Know Dental Care Tips as You Age<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\nOral Cancer Isn\u2019t a Bite-Sized Issue<\/span><\/h2>\n
Oral Cancer Risk Factors<\/span><\/h2>\n
\n
Oral Cancer Signs & Symptoms<\/span><\/h2>\n
\n
How to Perform an Oral Cancer Self-Exam<\/span><\/h2>\n
\n
There\u2019s No Better Time for a Screening<\/span><\/h2>\n
Keep Reading<\/span><\/h2>\n