Scheduling a routine checkup and cleaning prevents common issues like cavities and gum disease. Regularly seeing your dentist allows them to monitor your condition so they can spot and treat areas of concern, like bleeding gums or weakening enamel, before they progress.
However, did you know that your provider also screens your mouth for oral cancer during standard visits? If it’s been a while since your last dental appointment, keep reading to learn 3 things about this harmful condition that might motivate you to book your next visit!
Fact #1: There Are Multiple Types
Many people don’t realize that when their dentist talks about ‘oral cancer,’ they could be referring to two very different conditions. There are two distinct types, outlined in more detail below:
- Oral cavity canceraffects the front part of the mouth, like the tongue, floor of the mouth, and inside your cheeks and lips. It’s most commonly caused by using tobacco products, like smoking vapes or cigarettes or chewing dips. It can also result from frequent alcohol consumption or repeated physical trauma to your teeth, gums, or tongue.
- Oropharyngeal cancer occurs in the back of the mouth and can impact your tonsils, the back of your tongue, your upper throat, and larynx. Although habits like alcohol or tobacco use can contribute, it can also be caused by HPV (human papillomavirus), and tends to respond better to available treatments.
Fact #2: It Can Be Fatal
Did you know an estimated 58,500 Americans are diagnosed with oral cancer each year? Unfortunately, it also causes approximately 12,250 deaths, equating to about 1 person per hour for 24 hours daily. Only slightly more than half of the newly identified patients will remain alive for more than 5 years after the disease is identified.
This is because oral cancer often isn’t caught until it has already progressed. Although it can be effectively treated in the early stages, it doesn’t always exhibit noticeable symptoms until it has reached the later stages. Regular checkups with your dentist are essential because they have the experience and technology needed to identify and treat the illness earlier on, increasing your chances of an effective recovery.
Fact #3: It Starts Small
You should pay attention to your dental condition so that you notice even slight changes that might point to a more serious underlying issue, especially if you regularly use tobacco or alcohol products. That way, you can make an appointment with your dentist as soon as there’s a problem rather than waiting for it to worsen.
Oral cancer can initially present with simpler symptoms that might not seem overly risky, such as:
- A flat white or red patch in your mouth (which may or may not cause any discomfort).
- One or more lip or mouth sores.
- Discomfort when swallowing.
- A growth or lump inside your mouth or neck.
- A froggy voice or feeling hoarse.
Thankfully, visiting your dentist consistently and monitoring your oral health at home can help you identify oral cancer in time to treat it!
About the Practice
At Beck Dental Care of Columbia, you and your family benefit from a team of dedicated providers with 15+ years of combined experience. Dr. Hart, Dr. Williams, and Dr. Matthews take the time to get to know you so they can tailor solutions to meet your unique needs. Then, they combine a caring approach with state-of-the-art technology to identify potential problems and address them before they can progress, including oral cancer. If you need to schedule a checkup and cleaning, you can request an appointment on the website or call (931) 388-8452.