Worried About Oral Cancer? Your Dentist Can Help

Oral cancer afflicts hundreds of thousands of Americans. As with many forms of cancer, early detection is crucial for obtaining a favorable treatment outcome. Your dentist can help by performing a complete examination of your mouth, lips, face, and throat. In fact, dentists are often the first healthcare professionals to suspect the presence of this serious but treatable health condition.

What Your Dentist Can Do to Help

Many people mistakenly believe that dentists only concern themselves with cavities and braces. In reality, they’re experts on every aspect of oral health, including the early detection of many forms of cancer. This is one reason why a standard dental visit begins with a close visual exam.

If your dentist notices cause for concern, then he or she may remove a small amount of tissue from the affected area for the purpose of a biopsy. If cancer is detected, then treatment may take one or all of the following forms:

1. Surgery: this involves excising the cancer from the body entirely. In many cases this is the only treatment needed to resolve the problem over the long term.
2. Radiation: this method uses small amounts of highly targeted radiation to destroy cancer cells.
3. Chemotherapy: an oncologist (cancer specialist)  administers anti-cancer drugs that attack tumors both directly and indirectly. The type of medication used will depend on the form of cancer present.
4. Immunotherapy: this approach teaches the patient’s immune system to recognize and attack the disease. It’s considered the state-of-the-art in modern cancer treatment.

Self-Care Steps You Can Take on Your Own

Here are some steps you can take in between dental visits to safeguard yourself against oral cancer:

• Practice good oral hygiene: this includes regular brushing and flossing.
• Adopt a tobacco-free lifestyle: smoking is a primary risk factor for mouth and throat cancer. This same holds true for snuff, cigars, and chewing tobacco. As for vaping devices, a growing body of evidence shows that they also pose serious health risks.
• Drink alcohol only in moderation, if at all: a drink every now and then is probably okay. But over-consumption can compromise your immune system and increase your risk for many types of cancer.
• Avoid illicit drugs: the unregulated nature of these products makes them a special danger.
• Know the common warning signs of oral cancer: these include a sore that doesn’t heal, a whitish discoloration on your lips or mouth tissues, and a bump or swollen area without obvious explanation.
• Protect yourself when outside: solar radiation can cause cancer of the mouth, lips, or throat. Wear a hat, use sunscreen, and take other precautions when participating in outdoor activities.
• Exercise and eat a nutritious, well-rounded diet: a strong, healthy body is better able to fight not only cancer but all types of diseases. Proper nutrition and regular physical activity are among the smartest investments anyone can make in their well-being.

Oral cancer can strike at any time. Use the tips in this post to help guard yourself against this common health risk. The steps you take now will help you to live a longer, better life for years to come.

About the Author

Dr. Ukti Phadnis earned her DMD degree from the University of Connecticut School of Dental Medicine. She keeps her skills current by investing hundreds of hours in continuing training each year. You can reach her office online or by calling (860) 400-3007.