Oral Cancer Facts
Oral cancer, just like other cancers, is a life-threatening disease. Unlike other oral diseases, cancer is hard to diagnose. Most patients are not able to tell if they have oral cancer. This is because its symptoms can easily be confused with other dental issues. Only a dentist can diagnose oral cancer in its early stages.
This article has all the information you need about this type of cancer. You will know when to visit a dentist near you for oral cancer screening. The information here will go a long way in helping you in getting oral cancer treatment. Read on if you need important facts about this type of cancer.
What is Oral Cancer?
Oral cancer is the uncontrolled cell growth in you’re the mouth. The growth of these cells causes damage to the surrounding tissues. Oral cancer is a serious disease that should be diagnosed early. Early diagnosis increases chances of a successful treatment. Regular dental visits are very important in oral cancer diagnosis.
What are the Symptoms of Oral Cancer?
It is important to note that these symptoms can be different in each patient. You should go for oral cancer screening in Houston, TX, if you have any of the following symptoms.
- White or red patches in your mouth.
- Swelling, rough spots, lumps, and crusts on gums, lips, and inside the mouth.
- Numbness in areas around the face
- Unexplained bleeding
- Difficulty in talking, eating, and swallowing.
- Unexplained weight loss
- Ear Pain
- Persistent sore throat
These symptoms can indicate oral cancer. Visit your dentist 77007 immediately if you have any of these symptoms. The dentist will screen you for oral cancer.
Who Can Get Oral Cancer?
Anyone can get oral cancer. However, some people are at high risk of developing this type of cancer than others. These are some of the oral cancer risks.
Smoking
Smokers are at a high risk of getting oral cancer. Tobacco is known to cause many types of cancers, including oral. Chewing tobacco also puts you at risk of developing this type of cancer. You should quit smoking tobacco to reduce the risks of getting oral cancer. If you have had successful oral cancer treatment, you can still get oral cancer if you continue smoking.
Drinking Alcohol
People who drink alcohol are more likely to get oral cancer when compared to those who don’t. Quitting drinking will reduce the risk.
Age
Age is also a risk factor when it comes to this type of cancer. Older people are more likely to get cancer than young ones. The risk is high for people aged 50 and above. If you are 50 and above, consider talking to a dentist about oral cancer near you.
Gender
Men are at a higher risk of getting oral cancer than women. However, women can also get oral cancer. Houston heights dentistry has dentists who can screen you for oral cancer. Visit your dentist today for screening.
Human Papillomavirus (HPV)
Researchers have linked many oral cancers to HPV. These cancers occur in young patients with HPV and without a history of alcohol and tobacco use. Talk to our dentist if you have HPV and you have experienced any oral cancer symptoms.
Oral Cancer Diagnosis
Dentistry in the heights provides for cancer diagnosis when you go for your routine checkup. The dentist will feel for lumps in your mouth during the screening. Our dentist will also check for any tenderness and tissue irregularities in your facial area.
If the dentist suspects oral cancer, we will do a biopsy. Our dentist Houston TX uses an appropriate biopsy to confirm if you have cancer. You will start treatment right away if the dentist confirms oral cancer.
Oral Cancer Treatment
You will undergo surgery to remove the cancerous cells. After the surgery, chemotherapy is necessary to kill any remaining cancer cells.
How Long Does Oral Cancer Take to Spread?
The time oral cancer takes to spread can vary from one patient to another. Generally, oral cancer can take years to spread and affect other healthy tissues.