Why do we have Mouth Cancer Action Month in November? It is to increase the long-term survival of the disease. Screenings are necessary to detect the disease early, which increases the chances that treatment is successful. According to the University of Illinois College of Dentistry, there will be 11,230 deaths from oral cancer in 2022. This number should be lower, but oral cancer often isn’t caught early enough.
Oral cancer, also called mouth or oral cavity cancer, is any cancer occurring in the oral cavity. People who understand the signs and symptoms, plus the risk factors, can lower their risk of developing oral cancer or catching it early. The survival rate is much higher for people who receive am early diagnosis.
Help keep your mouth healthy with regular dental exams that include a screening. Call our dental office in Northern Virginia to schedule one today. Dentists and dental hygienist are in a prime position to screen patients for early signs of oral cancer since they are already inside the patient’s mouth.
Keep your mouth healthy with regular exams and screenings by our dentist in Northern Virginia. Call us today to schedule an appointment.
What Signs of Oral Cancer Should I Look For?
The early signs of oral cancer are difficult to spot on your own. During each dental exam and teeth cleaning, your dental care provider will look for:
- Ulcers (sores) in the mouth that don’t heal within a few weeks
- Red or white patches in the oral cavity
- Lumps or growths in the mouth
- Mouth pain
- Mouth bleeding that isn’t explained
- Trouble swallowing
- A persistent sore throat
- Loose teeth
- Earaches
Let your dentist in Northern Virginia know right away if you are experiencing any of these signs or symptoms. We can attribute some of the conditions to other medical problems, so your dentist may recommend you see your doctor first to rule out infections.
What are the Typical Causes of Mouth Cancer?
Mouth cancer occurs when cells develop mutations in their DNA. We don’t understand all the reasons these changes occur, but there are major risk factors that we’ve identified. Tobacco use, including cigarettes, cigars, pipes and smokeless tobacco, is the primary cause of mouth cancer. Vaping. or using e-cigarettes, is not sage either. These products contain the same carcinogens as other tobacco products.
If you combine drinking alcohol in excess with tobacco use, the risk is even higher. Alcohol acts as an irritant in your mouth. It’s though that the irritation allows the toxic chemicals in tobacco to enter cells more easily. If you drink, limit yourself to 21 drinks per week. Moderate drinking, without smoking, may harm your health in other ways, but it does not increase your risk of oral cancer.
The human papillomavirus (HPV) is also responsible for certain types of mouth cancers. Lip cancer can occur when your lips get a great deal of sun exposure without using a lip balm containing sunscreen. A poor diet, without sufficient fruits and vegetables, can also increase your risk.
Unfortunately, some people develop oral cancer without having any of the risk factors, so regular screenings as so important. Call today to schedule a dental exam and screening with our dentist in Northern Virginia today.
How is Mouth Cancer Diagnosed?
During an oral cancer screening, your dentist does not diagnose oral cancer because of a sore or a lump. If anything suspicious or abnormal is found, a sample is sent off to a lab for a biopsy. The dentist does not diagnose oral cancer during the screening. Instead, the dentist looks for suspicious spots or abnormalities. If such a spot is discovered, a biopsy is recommended. If the biopsy shows cancerous or pre-cancerous cells cancer, the dentist will refer their patient to the appropriate specialist.
What are the Treatment Options for Oral Cancer?
Your doctors will stage your cancer, as this helps determine the treatment necessary. The stages range from zero to four. Stage four will require the most aggressive treatment. Treatments are similar to other cancers, and may include medications, radiation, chemotherapy or surgery. Your overall health and personal preferences also determine your treatment options. Your specialist dentists and doctors will explain the goals of each option, whether it is to cure the cancer or ease your symptoms and keep the cancer under control for as long as possible.
Can I Stop Oral Cancer?
Not definitively, but you can greatly reduce your chances of developing it. First, if you use tobacco, stop immediately. If you don’t, do not start. This is the best way to avoid oral cancer. Smoking is an addiction which is really hard to quit. Ask your dentist for help, as quitting can significantly reduce your risk in less than four years.
If you choose to drink alcohol, do so in moderation. Eat a healthy diet that includes plenty of fruits and vegetables. The vitamins and antioxidants in fruit and vegetables can help prevent oral cancers, as well as other cancers.
If you go outside a lot in the summer, use a lip balm with sunscreen to help avoid lip cancer. Also, protect your lips when using a tanning bed.
Scheduling regular exams with your dentist, especially if you do use tobacco or drink heavily, is essential. Most oral cancers are found early by dentists. Early detection increases your chances of being cured and minimizes the negative effects. An early diagnosis can increase your survival rate from 50% to 90%.
See a dentist in Northern Virginia regularly and talk to your dentist about your risk factors to see how often you need a screening.
