If caught early, oral cancer is very treatable with surgery and radiation therapy. The best thing to do is to visit your dentist regularly and be aware of any symptoms you might notice, like a sore throat or something unusual in your mouth! Oral cancer is one of the most deadly cancers in the world, and it’s on the rise. It has been called “the new smoking gun,” because tobacco use accounts for more than 70% of oral cancers.
It is important to visit a dentist to have regular checkups. Whatever you do, DO NOT IGNORE SYMPTOMS! If you feel something is wrong in your mouth, go to a dentist immediately! Don’t wait or think it will go away. You should also never try to ignore possible symptoms by eating or drinking things to mask them.
Dangers Of Oral Cancer
Oral cancer can also spread to lymph nodes in the neck, causing swelling of the jaw and neck area, which can make it difficult to eat or swallow. It can also metastasize (spread) throughout the body through your blood vessels and lymphatic system, moving into other vital organs. This can cause fatigue, weight loss, fever or night sweats, and more. If you experience any of these symptoms along with signs of oral cancer (mouth sores that don’t heal within 2 weeks), please see your doctor immediately!
Risk Factors
Oral cancer is more common in men than women, and the risk increases with age. The main risk factors for oral cancer are:
- Tobacco use – accounts for 70% of oral cancer
- Alcohol consumption
- Drug abuse
- High-risk sexual behavior
- HPV infection
- Poor oral hygiene
- Exposure to asbestos and other carcinogens
- HIV/AIDS or an otherwise compromised immune system
Possible Symptoms
Oral cancer can develop from pre-cancers such as leukoplakia (white patches inside your mouth) or erythroplakia (red patches). These may not cause any symptoms at first; but if they aren’t treated early enough, they can become invasive tumors that spread to other parts of the body. This is what makes oral cancer so deadly, it can spread very quickly before you even know there’s a problem.
Symptoms may include any of the following:
- Bleeding or white patches inside your mouth
- Pain or tenderness in your mouth or throat
- A lump on your face, neck, or inside your mouth
- Drooping on one side of your face
- A change in the way your teeth fit together and/or unusual swelling around your jaw and neck
- Discharge (weeping) from sores inside your mouth, especially if it’s reddish-pink with blood spots or black as ink.
For more information on the warning signs of oral cancer, go to: http://www.mouthhealthy.org/en/az-topics/o/oral-cancer
The good news is that almost 70% of all oral cancers can be highly treatable if they are found and treated early. That’s why we recommend you keep up with your teeth cleaning and visit your dentist regularly!
If you are looking for a family dentist and would like to set up an appointment, please call or text James River Family Dentistry at 804-323-4200 or schedule an appointment online. We look forward to partnering with you to keep your oral health the best it can be — for a lifetime of clean, healthy, happy teeth and gums.