Nearly 50,000 Americans are diagnosed with oral cancer every year. Of those newly diagnosed patients, about 10,000 will die, as oral cancer kills one person every hour. The high incidence of death has to do with the fact that most patients discover the illness late in its development when there isn’t much that doctors can do to stop it from affecting the major organs.
If you do not want to be part of this statistic, then make sure to live a healthy lifestyle and look for the best dentist in Dallas to get regular check-ups.
You also need to know how to identify the risk factors and take the necessary steps to reduce the likelihood of developing oral cancer.
What is Oral Cancer and What Causes it?
Oral cancer includes the cancer of the lips, tongue, the inner lining of the cheeks, mouth floor and roof, sinuses, hard and soft palate, and throat. More often than not, it starts as a sore that refuses to go away. Because the symptoms are mild and most patients confuse them with the common cold, people don’t take action until it’s too late.
Anyone faces the risk of developing oral cancer. However, men are at a greater risk than women, especially if they’re over 50 years old. Other factors that can contribute to the development of oral cancer are:
- Smoking
- Excessive alcohol intake
- Genetics
- Excessive sun exposure
- HPV
How Can You Identify Oral Cancer?
Sores that bleed or do not heal, any unusual growths and lumps in the mouth area, tooth loss, tongue and jaw pain, chewing and swallowing difficulties, as well as sore throat are all signs of possible mouth cancer. Any persistent symptoms that last more than two weeks should immediately be checked out by a doctor or dentist.
How Can You Treat Oral Cancer?
The treatment for oral cancer is similar to that for other types of cancers. Patients will need to undergo surgery to have the cancerous growth removed. Most of them will also undergo radiation therapy or chemotherapy that will help destroy the other cancer cells in the body.
You can reduce the risks of developing oral cancer significantly by stopping smoking and using tobacco products, reducing your alcohol intake, and by making sure you have a well-balanced diet. Regular check-ups and medical investigations are also essential to ensure that you are in good health.
Keep in mind that your dentist is usually the first line of defense in the early detection of oral cancer, so make sure to visit them regularly.
If you are looking for the best Dallas dentist, then look no further than Dallas Dental Wellness and our team of caring and dedicated professionals.
Sources
https://www.webmd.com/oral-health/guide/oral-cancer#1
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/mouth-cancer/symptoms-causes/syc-20350997
https://oralcancerfoundation.org/facts/
