Oral cancer is a serious disease that will affect over 48,250 Americans this year, according to the .
When caught early, oral cancer is treatable. However, if left undetected, it can progress at an alarming rate.
It’s important to visit our office for regular oral cancer screenings to make sure you stay healthy.
Symptoms of Oral Cancer
can be difficult to detect, as many times the patient doesn’t exhibit any symptoms until the disease is in its later stages.
A few common symptoms of oral cancer include:
- Sores in or around your mouth that won’t heal
- Abnormal white or red patches inside your mouth
- Lumps forming inside your mouth
- Swelling or thickening of your mouth tissue
- Persistent bleeding
- Numbness or pain in the mouth, jaw, or ear
- Loose teeth
- Difficulty swallowing
If you experience any of these symptoms, call our preventive dentists right away. We’ll thoroughly examine your mouth for any abnormalities and can help you with the next steps. It’s important to make an appointment as soon as you notice something unusual so we can take action.
Oral Cancer Risk Factors
Anyone can develop oral cancer, regardless of risk factors. That’s why it’s so important to come in for regular dental checkups and oral cancer screenings.
However, there are certain things that can increase your risk of oral cancer, including:
- Advanced age
- Tobacco use
- Alcohol use
- Sun exposure
- Poor diet
- Poor oral hygiene
- Exposure to HPV
Maintaining a healthy lifestyle and seeing our dentists regularly will go a long way towards helping you keep your mouth healthy. Always wear SPF on your lips when you’re outside and steer clear of alcohol and tobacco use.
Make an Appointment Today
At the office of Jeffrey T. Baker DDS, we want to help you steer clear of oral cancer. To make an appointment with our , call our office at (586) 992-9222 today.
