What is Oral Cancer? How my Dentist detect the Oral Cancer Earlier?

Oral cancer can be occurred in the oral cavity and in the pharynx. Both these categories of cancer account 2.9% of all cancers in the United States.

Initial stage detection may lead to better outcomes as the 5-year survival rate of those diagnosed is about 60%.

Where Can Oral Cancer Appear?

The oral cavity includes your gums, lips, the front portion and beneath the tongue, base of the mouth, beneath the tongue, cheek lining and the hard roof plates of your mouth. The pharynx starts at the roofs soft part of your mouth. It continues back into your throat. It includes the base of the tongue which touches the floor of mouth and back section of the tongue.

What Are the Symptoms of Oral Cancer?

The following symptoms and signs may be the indication of oral cancer. You have to see your dentist if these signs don’t disappear in two weeks.

• Swellings, thickenings, lumps, rough spots, crusts or eroded areas on the lips, gums, or other areas inside the mouth.
• A soreness or feeling that something is caught in the back of the throat.
• Unexplained numbness, pain, tenderness in any area of the mouth or lips.
• Difficulty in chewing or moving tongue or jaw.
• when you close your mouth a change may occur in the way to fit your teeth together.
• If you notice any of these above-stated symptoms, contact your dentist immediately.

What Are the Risk Factors for Oral Cancer?

According to research, there are number of factors that increases the risk of developing of oral cancer. Smokers and excessive alcohol drinkers more than 50 are at more risk of developing oral cancer. Men are two times more likely to get oral cancer than women.

The Human Papilloma Virus(HPV) has been associated with throat cancer at the back of the mouth. This virus is sexually transmitted. HPV+ head and neck cancers generally developed at the base of tongue or in the throat. It is related to rise throat cancers in non-smoking adults. It is also developed in the folds of tonsils which make them difficult to detect. HPV+ have lower risk of dying than HPV -. Regular checkup of whole neck and head is important to detect cancer in early stages.

How Can My Dentist Help Detect Oral Cancer Early?

Your dentist will ask whether you have been having any new or odd symptom. He will also ask you about changes in your medical history.

Your dentist will have a look at your oral cavity and also examine your pharynx (Oral Cancer Screening). After a proper oral cancer screening OR examination of, the dentist will then feel your jaw or neck for any abnormalities.

What Happens If My Dentist Finds Something Suspicious?

Your dentist can not be able to tell right away that what he or she may be looking at is cancerous. He or she may refer you for further testing. he or she might reexamine you after a week or two. Then, your dentist reexamines the suspicious spots, whether they are healing on their own or not, before additional recommendation. Both of you can make the best strategy for the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention.

What Can I Do to Prevent Oral Cancer?

To prevent oral cancer:

• Don't smoke and don’t drink excessive amounts of alcohol as well
• Avoid poor diet and eat a well-balanced diet.
• Repeated exposure to the sun increases the risk of cancer on the lip, especially the lower lip. So limit your exposure to sun.