Most people think that the worst possible news they could get from their dentist is that they have a cavity. While this certainly isn’t pleasant, it’s far from the most severe issue a dentist may discover. As part of your regular checkup, your dentist will be on the lookout for a disease that claims one life each and every hour here in the US: oral cancer. What causes oral cancer? How can you avoid it? Why is your dentist searching for it? The answers to these questions and more are the focus of today’s blog.

Oral Cancer Basics

Oral cancer doesn’t receive the same kind of national attention compared to other cancers, but it is often one of the most deadly types because public knowledge about early symptoms is dangerously limited. That’s why April has been designated as Oral Cancer Awareness Month.

The symptoms of oral cancer can be very easy to miss early on, especially if you don’t know what they are! The most common ones include:

• Oral sores that bleed often and don’t heal after two weeks
• Growths on oral tissues
• Discolored or red/white patches of tissue
• Patchy or scaley oral tissue
• Loose teeth
• Tongue pain
• Frequent sore throats/hoarse voice
• Difficulty swallowing/a constant “frog” in the throat.

What Causes Oral Cancer?

If you know anything about oral cancer, it’s likely that the primary cause is tobacco use, right? While this and excessive alcohol consumption are big culprits, other risk factors include genetics, too much sun exposure on the lips, and the HPV virus. In fact, rates of HPV among young (20s-30s) and healthy people are so high that this population accounts for about 25% of new oral cancer diagnoses.

How You Can Keep Yourself Protected

In addition to avoiding tobacco and alcohol, one of the most effective ways you can keep yourself safe from oral cancer is to regularly see your dentist. Why? Because they always perform an oral cancer screening during your routine checkups, even if you don’t notice it.

Their highly trained eyes are able to spot even the slightest indications of the disease, and if they see something that causes concern, they can organize for you to get a biopsy and diagnosis right away. Early detection and treatment dramatically increases the survivability of oral cancer, which is why keeping up with your semi-annual appointments is important not just for your smile, but your life as well!

Of course, while regular screenings are essential, it’s also important that you take a little time every once in a while to look at your mouth for symptoms of oral cancer. If you notice any of the signs listed above, call your dentist right away—being proactive might just save your life.

Meet the Dentists

Dr. Adam Cohlmia and Dr. Krysten Jackson are both proud graduates of the University of Oklahoma College of Dentistry. Their goal is to provide gentle, comprehensive care to local families in El Reno, and this includes regular oral cancer screenings. To learn more about this disease and how you can keep yourself safe, or to schedule a checkup, you can contact El Reno Family Dentistry by clicking here.