Oral Cancer Screening Cancer is a serious chronic condition that can manifest itself in many forms. One such form it can adopt is through the mouth. As a type of head and neck cancer, it can affect any area of the mouth. According to the Oral Cancer Foundation, roughly 145 people are diagnosed with a form of oral cancer every single day in the United States. Despite it being such a serious condition, it can also be remarkably treatable. Symptoms of oral cancer can be controlled or prevented through good hygiene, healthy practices, and most importantly, early detection. Viva Smiles Family Dental can aid you in any of your concerns. What is Oral Cancer?Oral cancer, like its counterparts, is characterized by the rapid and uncontrollable growth of malicious cells in a certain area. These cells can travel to, and damage, the surrounding tissue as well. Oral cancer, as the name states, pertains to all cancers that exist in the mouth. This can include the lips, tongue, gums, roof, or floor of the mouth, as well as the inner linings of the cheeks. Who is at Risk, and How Can You Prevent Oral Cancer?Typically, men are twice as likely to get it than women. Cancer is also a condition that has its risk increased the older one is. People over 50, are more likely to develop a form of oral cancer, as a result. HPV, or a history of cancer in your family, could also be a factor. There are many lifestyle habits that may increase the risks of developing oral cancer as well, and those should be stopped if possible. Smoking, chewing tobacco, and large quantities of alcohol all increase the chances of developing oral cancer. Excessive smoking and drinking increase the risk by roughly six times when compared to non-smokers and non-drinkers. Reducing the use of tobacco and alcohol greatly helps to prevent oral cancer, not to mention a wide array of other health benefits. Eating plenty of fruits and vegetables also can help by creating and maintaining proper nutritional balance. Lastly, brushing your teeth often and flossing, as well as seeing our staff for your routine checkups at least twice per year, will help you be aware of and control your health status. Screening and TreatmentSome types of oral cancer can be prevented, but it is not impossible for healthy people to develop it. Screening for oral cancer usually can help identify these signs, and at routine checkups, we can take note of any irregularities in your mouth. If there are signs of potential cancer, further tests can be done to confirm its presence or severity. Typically, a routine checkup allows for our team to determine what is concerning, what is safe, and to help ensure your health is at its best. If a patient were to develop it, we would be able to detect it at an early stage. This would make fighting against it much easier. Maintaining your oral health is something we take very seriously at our office. To schedule a visit for an oral examination or screening, or if you would like to discuss any of your concerns, please do not hesitate to call our team here at Viva Smiles Family Dental at (512) 863-9555 today. |
