Oral Cancer Awareness Month

April is oral cancer awareness month. This is the C-word no one wants to hear, whether it is you or your loved ones. Advancements in medicine have made the survival of cancer more achievable, but one of the cancers that remains dangerous and life-threatening is oral cancer. The 5-year survival rate is only 60%.  

When many people think of oral cancer, they visualize an aged smoker. Do you remember the anti-smoking campaign commercials? Do you recall testimonies from smokers who had large portions of their tongues removed? However, maybe you wouldn’t picture a young person who has never smoked struggling with the very same diagnosis.

Cancer inside of the oral cavity often goes unnoticed. The reason is that it is often painless, and the visible signs can be small physical changes. The earlier the diagnosis, the greater chances of survival are and the less costly overall.

The American Dental Association states that about sixty percent of the United States population sees a dentist at least once per year. Besides a cleaning and overall oral health examination, your dentist and hygienist are also providing a visual screening for cancer. This is the first line of detection.

Oral cancer includes these areas: lips, soft tissue inside the cheeks, teeth, bone (maxilla and mandible), gums, the floor of the mouth, the roof of the mouth, the front of the tongue, or the middle region of the throat: the base of the tongue and tonsils. Early detection is paramount in both the effectiveness of treatment and more importantly, survival. When it comes to oral cancer, it is important to know these symptoms and risk factors as followed

Symptoms:

·       An irritation or ulceration that does not go away

·       Red or white patches

·       Pain, tenderness, or numbness in an area of the mouth or lips

·       A lump, nodule, rough patch, or crusty area

·       Difficulty in function: chewing, swallowing, speaking, moving your tongue, moving the lower jaw

·       A change in the bite or the way your teeth come together

·       Throat soreness, numbness, or feeling like something is caught in your throat

·       Hoarse voice or change in voice

Risk Factors:

·       Men are two times more likely to become diagnosed than women

·       Smoking

·       Drinking alcohol

·       50 years of age and older

·       Poor diet

·       Human Papilloma Virus (HPV)

It is important to be aware of what you see in your mouth. Let your dentist know immediately if you have any of the symptoms listed above for two weeks or more.

Indigo Dentistry makes your health our priority and we provide regular screenings within the mouth and around the neck. When you come to see us for your regular cleaning, you may think it is just that, but it is much more. Your bi-annual exam gives us the chance to get a picture of your oral health which affects your overall health.

 If it has been some time since you have visited the dentist, please don’t hesitate to call our office at (803) 736-9991 or email us at Indigo@Indigodentistrycolumbia.com. We are happy to see you, no matter how long it has been.