Let’s be honest- taking care of our teeth and gums can prove to be challenging at certain points in our lives. But our oral health is so important and so is signs of mouth cancer. With any type of cancer, early detection is crucial if you want to overcome the illness. Knowing the signs and symptoms to search for will help you to recognize if you need a professional to evaluate your mouth for signs of cancer.
What exactly is Mouth Cancer?
For those of you who are unfamiliar with mouth cancer, it is a cancer located in and on your mouth. There are more than 200,000 cases per year in the United States but the key to this common cancer is to detect it early. If you notice a lump in your mouth that wasn’t always there, it might be something to get checked out. Seeing your dentist regularly will help increase your chances of overcoming any life threatening situations. Mouth cancer doesn’t just occur in your teeth and gums but it can affect your throat, salivary glands, lips and tongue. If you find there to be patches or sores in any of those areas, that is also a common sign. You might find red or white lesions on your lips or in your mouth as well. Also, if you frequently feel like you have a lump in your throat, that could be an early symptom. Numbness anywhere in the mouth, lingering sore throat, and jaw problems are a few more signs of oral cancer. If any of these signs appear at any time, it’s important to get checked out. If caught early enough, the chances of survival are very high.
Factors Contributing To Mouth Cancer
Diet and lifestyle can definitely increase the risk of getting mouth cancer. For example, people who smoke or use any kind of tobacco increase their risks by ninety percent. Those who have poor diet and don’t properly care for their mouth and gums have more of a chance. Seeing a dentist regularly is the greatest prevention there is, alongside brushing and flossing. If there is something irregular going on in your mouth, see someone immediately.
Prevention and Treatment
It cannot be stressed enough that being seen by your dentist every six months to a year can save your life. Early detection of mouth cancer has a huge success rate in being fully treated. If you haven’t visited your dentist in a long time, it may be time to reconsider. At Simcoe Smile Dental, we strive to make sure your teeth and gums are in their healthiest state and a team of professionals will screen your mouth regularly for signs of oral cancer. Should you need a dentist in the Oshawa area, call Simcoe Smile Dental today and feel confident that your gums and teeth are in the best shape they can be.