Every day, oral cancer kills roughly one person per hour. Cells in the mouth change rapidly, and sometimes they change abnormally. These changes may lead to benign or malignant conditions. Your dentist can play a very crucial role in early diagnosis of oral cancer. Your dentist sees you every 4-6 months, and they are trained to look for warning signs that may be indicative of a serious oral condition.
Oral Cancer Symptoms
- A sore on the lip or in the mouth that does not heal in 14 days
- A lump on the lip, in the mouth or throat
- A white or red patch on the gums, tongue or lining of mouth
- Unusual bleeding or numbness in the mouth
- A sore throat that does not go away, or the feeling that something is caught
- Difficulty or pain chewing or swallowing
- Change in voice or pain in ears
Risk Factors of Oral Cancer
- Smoking or chewing tobacco (worsened if combined with excessive alcohol drinking)
- Heaving alcohol consumption
- Sun exposure
- Age (people over the age of 40 are at higher risk)
- Gender (mean are more at risk than women)
- A diet low in fruits and vegetables
Oral cancer symptoms can sometimes be absent, so noticing early signs is extremely critical. At Dr. Bis’ office, we conduct oral cancer screenings with each cleaning appointment. Ask us if you have any questions about oral cancer!
Also, please see the link below to help you perform your own oral cancer screenings at home:
http://www.dentalhygienecanada.ca/pdfs/DHCanada/OralCancerEarlyDetectionFlyer.pdf
