Can Your Dentist Detect Oral Cancer?

Visiting your dentist in DeLand does more than keep your smile looking beautiful. Many people aren’t aware that preventive dentistry can also look after your overall wellbeing and reduce your risk of developing medical conditions that could impact your daily life. During each of your checkups and cleanings, your dentist conducts an oral cancer screening in search of any signs of the deadly disease. Read on to learn more about the process of detecting oral cancer and how it benefits you.

What is Oral Cancer?

Oral cancer includes any cancer found in the throat, tongue, oral tissues, gums, and the roof and floor of the mouth. According to The Oral Cancer Foundation, this year alone, 53,000 Americans will be diagnosed with the disease. It will result in nearly 10,000 deaths, widely because of late diagnoses. Your dentist in DeLand’s goal is to keep oral cancer from progressing by providing you with routine screenings.

What Puts You At Risk of Oral Cancer?

There are several risk factors connected to oral cancer. That’s why your dentist will ask you about your medical history and any habits that you have that involve your mouth before your first checkup and cleaning with them. This way, they’ll know what issues to keep a close eye out for, leaving nothing to chance. Here are some factors that can increase your chances of oral cancer:

• Tobacco Use: People who use tobacco, whether they smoke or chew it, are at a higher risk of developing cancer because they contain several carcinogenic products that can cause your cells to mutate and turn cancerous.
• Heavy Alcohol Consumption: Excessive alcohol consumption is said to increase people’s oral cancer risk because it limits your cell’s ability to repair themselves and can cause damage to your DNA.
• HPV: The sexually transmitted human papillomavirus has been linked to and increased risk of throat cancer.
• Age: As age increases, risk of developing oral cancer also does. It’s most commonly diagnosed in people over 40.
• Excessive Sun Exposure: Lip cancer is frequently caused by sun exposure.
• Diet: Without vital fruits and vegetables, oral cancer development can be more common.

How Can Your Dentist Spot Oral Cancer?

Oral cancer screenings from your dentist are thorough and short, which is why many people don’t know they’re receiving one during their checkup and cleaning. During this procedure, your dentist will examine every inch of your mouth in search of common signs of oral cancer, including:

• Persistent oral sores that won’t seem to heal.
• Mouth pain.
• Abnormalities in the oral tissues.
• Red or white patches in the mouth.
• Difficulty swallowing or moving the jaw and tongue.
• Loose teeth.
• Numbness in the tongue.
• Lump on the neck.
• Voice changes.

If your dentist finds any suspicious signs, they’ll likely recommend additional testing, a follow-up visit, or a biopsy to make sure that any lingering problems are diagnosed in a timely manner. That way, the chances of having the disease successfully treated are higher.

About the Author

Dr. Christopher Cowell has been practicing dentistry for over two decades. He has been in DeLand for over 20 years and values providing caring and honest dentistry to his community. He has experience treating patients from all backgrounds and has continued his education past graduating dental school, so he can give his patients the high-quality dentistry they deserve. For questions or to schedule an oral cancer screening, visit his website or call 386-734-8585.