Taking care of your smile

Oral cancer

According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), more than 30,000 northamericans are diagnosed with mouth and throat cancer every year. Oral cancer can affect any area of the oral cavity including lips, gums, cheeks, tongue and hard and soft palate.

How can I protect myself from oral cancer?
Like in many forms of cancer, early detection increases the chances of succesful treatment. By taking a few minutes to examine lips, gums, cheeks and tongue, you are taking an active role in detecting early signs of oral cancer. Alert your dental professional immediately if you note any suggestive signs of oral cancer during this auto-exam, including:

• A sore on the lip or mouth that does not heal, bleeds easily or increases in size.
• A growth on the lip, mouth or throat.
• Pain or numbness on the mouth or lips, or difficulty to move tha jaw or tongue.
• A white or red patch, or a dark area on the gums, tongue or cheek.
• Unusual bleeding, pain or numbness in the mouth.
• A persistant sore throat or the sensation that something is stuck in the throat.
• Difficulty or pain to chewing or swallowing.
• Inflammation of the jaw that causes dentures to hurt or not adjust properly.
• Voice changes.
• Ear pain.
• Changes in the way dentures adjust between them or loose dentures.

Is it possible to minimize the risk of developing oral cancer?
The good news is, YES! Avoid smoking cigarretes, cigars or pipe and the use of chewing tobacco. The abuse or chronic use of alcohol also increases the risk of oral cancer, even in people that do not use tobacco.Regular visits to your dental professional increase the chance that oral cancer be detected in its early stages and be treated effectively.