Oral Cancer: Signs, Risk Factors
Oral cancer, also commonly called mouth cancer, refers to cancer that develops in the mouth, including the lips, gums, tongue, and the lining of the cheeks. It can be serious, but when it's caught early, treatment is often much more successful, which is a big part of why regular dental checkups matter. Ocotillo Trails Family Dentistry includes oral cancer screening as a routine part of exams for patients in San Tan Valley, Gilbert, and Mesa.
San Tan Valley (480) 457-1977
Gilbert (480) 963-9900
Mesa (480) 830-3344
What Is Oral cancer
Oral cancer is one of the most common cancers today and has one of the lowest survival rates, with thousands of new cases being reported each year. Fewer than half of all people diagnosed with oral cancer are ever cured.
Moreover, people with many forms of cancer can develop complications—some of them chronic and painful—from their cancer treatment. These include dry mouth and overly sensitive teeth, as well as accelerated tooth decay.
If oral cancer is not treated in time, it could spread to other facial and neck tissues, leading to disfigurement and pain.
Older adults over the age of 40 (especially men) are most susceptible to developing oral cancer, but people of all ages are at risk.
Oral cancer can occur anywhere in the mouth, but the tongue appears to be the most common location. Other oral structures could include the lips, gums and other soft palate tissues in the mouth.
Warning Signs
In general, early signs of oral cancer usually occur in the form of lumps, patchy areas and lesions, or breaks, in the tissues of the mouth. In many cases, these abnormalities are not painful in the early stages, making even self-diagnosis difficult.
Here are some additional warning signs:
- Hoarseness or difficulty swallowing
- Unusual bleeding or persistent sores in the mouth that won't heal
- Lumps or growths in other nearby areas, such as the throat or neck.
If a tumor is found, surgery will generally be required to remove it. Some facial disfigurement could also result.
Prevention
is the key to staving off oral cancer. One of the biggest culprits is tobacco and alcohol use. Certain kinds of foods and even overexposure to the sun have also been linked to oral cancer. Some experts believe certain oral cancer risk factors are also hereditary.
A diet rich in fruits and vegetables is one of the best defenses against oral cancer. Maintaining good oral hygiene, and regular dental checkups, are highly recommended.
Call our office to find out how you can achieve your whitest smile.
Neighborhoods We Serve
Ocotillo Trails Family Dentistry is proud to welcome patients from San Tan Valley and the surrounding communities, including:
Driving Directions to Our San Tan Valley Dental Office
Visiting Ocotillo Trails Family Dentistry for oral health concerns or screening related to oral cancer? Find us at 40815 N Ironwood Rd #102, San Tan Valley, AZ 85140. Travel on N Ironwood Road toward E Ocotillo Road and continue to Suite 102.