Now that it’s April, you may be excited to have spring fun. You likely have a lot planned – pranks (April Fools!), parties, get-togethers, etc. Still, don’t get too hopped up on these activities. It just so happens that April is also Oral Cancer Awareness Month. You should use the next thirty days to learn about the occasion’s namesake. Fortunately, your Jacksonville dentist can help out. Here’s a primer on oral cancer’s risk factors, signs, and dental screening methods.
Oral Cancer Risk Factors
Oral cancer (per its name) affects the inside of your mouth. Over time, its various cells can spread to other areas of your head, neck, and other body parts. Its most notable risk factors include things like:
- Tobacco & Alcohol Use – Smoking cigarettes and cigars makes oral cancer likely. Similarly, drinking too much alcohol can also trigger the disease.
- Genetics – Those assigned male at birth are twice as likely to get oral cancer. Plus, having a family history with it puts you at risk.
- Age – Oral cancer often takes years to grow. As a result, it typically affects people aged 60 and older.
There’s no way to prevent oral cancer with certainty. Even so, managing risk factors like those above can make it much less likely.
Oral Cancer Signs
Because it affects the mouth, oral cancer has signs similar to other mouth problems. Its most common symptoms are:
- Sores on your lip or inside your mouth
- Rough or crusty areas on your lips or gums
- White or reddish patches inside of your mouth
- Difficulty chewing or swallowing
- A growth or lump inside your mouth
- Loose teeth
How Dentists Screen for Oral Cancer
Knowing its risk factors and signs is helpful, but you can’t tell if you have oral cancer on your own. You should have your local dentist screen for it. Their training lets them recognize the condition.
A dentist’s oral cancer screening follows a few steps. First, you’ll have your mouth rinsed with a cleansing solution. The dentist will then use their tools to examine your mouth. Should those tools detect a problem area, the dental team will notice and diagnose it.
You don’t need to panic if the dentist diagnoses you with oral cancer. In reality, the condition’s early stages hold an 80-90% cure rate. Plus, your dental practice can refer you to a highly qualified cancer specialist.
To honor Oral Cancer Awareness Month, make sure to memorize the facts above. They’ll equip you to better prevent and manage the cancer.
About the Practice
Distinctive Dentistry by Mullens & Nguyen is based in Jacksonville, FL. Led by Drs. Richard Mullens and James Nguyen, our practice aims to give you quality dental care with an artistic touch. We thus offer preventive, cosmetic, and restorative dentistry, as well as urgent oral treatments. Our team will also screen you for oral cancer at every dental checkup. For more details or to book a visit, you can reach us on our website or by phone at (904) 399-3163.