If you’ve been seeing burgundy and white ribbons around more often, it’s because dentists and citizens alike are trying to spread awareness of a very stark reality: oral cancer. Approximately 49,750 patients will be diagnosed with oral cancer, causing about 9, 750 deaths. That’s roughly 1 death per hour, 24 hours a day! April is National Oral Cancer Awareness and it’s important that patients know how to prevent themselves and their loved ones from it. Your dentist in Hurley is here to inform you about high-risk factors, symptoms, and how we can work together to prevent your family from ever suffering from this daunting diagnosis.
Are you putting yourself at risk?
Although oral cancer can affect anybody, it is strongly associated with the age or gender of a person, and around 91% of all diagnoses link to lifestyle. By altering our lifestyle choices for the better, we can cut the chances of developing oral cancer. Here are the two main risk factors that have proven to play a major role in contracting the disease:
Tobacco
Around one in five people smoke tobacco products. Believe it or not, tobacco accounts for two in every three oral cancer cases! There are thousands of chemicals contained in a single cigarette and they are entering your body through our mouth. There is still time to change your smoking habits, reducing your risk for oral cancer by a whole third.
Alcohol
Drinking large amounts of alcohol is another major risk factor. Moderation is key with alcohol consumption for not just your oral health, but your overall health. The risk of contracting oral cancer is increased by a third for excessive alcohol consumers.
If you are a mixed consumer, meaning you smoke and drink excessively, you are increasing your risk for oral cancer by up to thirty times! It is especially important to visit your dentist at Parker Dental & Orthodontics to receive regular oral cancer screenings if you continue or have participated in these risky habits. Other factors such as viral infections, autoimmune deficiencies like HIV, and diabetes may also take a toll on your oral health, leading to an oral cancer diagnosis.
Do you know the symptoms?
The earliest signs of oral cancer can be mistaken for other problems, such as a painful toothache or lingering cold. If you’re battling the same, persistent disruptions to your health for weeks at a time, consider visiting our office for a screening. Either of our dentists will be able to spot the signs and symptoms early on. Some of the telltale signs of oral cancer include:
- Persistent mouth sores
- Continuous mouth pain
- Lumps on your cheek
- White or red patches on your gums
- A sore throat that lasts for weeks
- Difficulty swallowing or chewing
- Difficulty moving your tongue or jaw
- Numbness in your mouth
- Loose teeth
- Change in voice
- Weight loss
- Chronic bad breath
When’s the last time you had an oral cancer screening?
As you read the list of symptoms, did you start to get worried? Normally cancer isn’t a subject that is normally discussed. It can be easy to ignore the tell-tale signs or be ignorant to how you’re putting yourself at risk. Just because you were living in bliss doesn’t mean that oral cancer is any less dangerous. That’s why our dentists believe in expressing the important of awareness in April. Our team takes this threat seriously, and we can provide screenings as a vital part of your regular checkup. Contact our Hurley office today to be proactive in your long-term health!