Dentistry May Spot Early Signs of Oral Cancer
Regular checkups with a dentist may help spot early signs of oral cancer. At Pearlee Dental in Ottawa, we want you to have holistic dentistry that keeps your mouth healthy; this includes catching oral cancer in its early stages, which means a greater chance that it can be cured.
What Are the Signs of Oral Cancer?
Here are some of the signs to watch for before you consult a doctor. If they persist for several weeks, it may be time to seek medical help. These symptoms include the following:
- A mouth or lip sore that does not heal
- Loose teeth
- Mouth pain
- Ear pain
- Reddish or white patch on the inside of mouth
- Growth or lump inside mouth
- Painful or difficult swallowing
If the signs last more than two weeks, it is time to see the dentist or doctor.
Risk factors
Although the exact causes are not known, there are certain factors that may increase your risk. These include the following:
- Heavy alcohol use
- Tobacco, including chewing tobacco, cigarettes and cigars and more
- HPV virus
- Weakened immune system
- Excessive sun exposure
You can take steps to lessen these risks with actions that promote your health.
Some Steps to Reduce Risk
If you are a heavy drinker, it might be wise to cut down. You can also quit smoking or also cut down. Keeping your health up with a strong immune system is excellent; there are many ways to do this, including eating a healthy diet of fruits and vegetables.
Chewing tobacco does not make you less at risk. Quitting all tobacco products, including a pipe, is the best way to lessen the chances of mouth cancer.
The Dental Visit
The dentist can inspect your mouth as part of a routine exam. They will look for areas that seem abnormal which may be an indication of precancerous abnormalities or mouth cancer. Squamous cell carcinoma is the name for oral cancer. It can be cured when found in its early stages.
We are your central dental in Ottawa and can help you with regular visits as well as our holistic approach. Schedule an appointment with phone call or book online. You’ll have greater peace of mind as well as a healthier mouth and smile.
