Dec27

Signs Of Oral Cancer: What Not To Ignore

Categories: Dental health, General dentistry, Oral Health

oral cancer signs Toms River

This post from Rotem Dental Care in Toms River focuses on a very serious issue, oral (oropharyngeal) cancers.

The medical community identifies oral cancers as a subset of head and neck cancers.

Oral cancers can occur in the following locations:

  • The tongue
  • The roof of the mouth and under the tongue
  • The inside of the cheeks
  • The oropharynx (the part behind the soft palate)
  • The salivary glands
  • The lips

Oral Cancers Are Particularly Deadly

Over 50,000 individuals annually are diagnosed with a type of oral cancer. They are more than twice as prevalent in men. There is no disparity when it comes to blacks or whites. Oral cancers claim over 10,000 victims per year.

The statistics reveal that only 57 percent of those diagnosed this year will be alive in five years. Talk about a grim outlook.

Let’s discuss the common—and the not-so-common—warning signs of oral cancer.

Any sore or lump in the mouth or throat should be taken seriously. Any white or red patch could also be a symptom.

Receiving an oral cancer screening is another reason to visit Rotem Dental Care twice a year for an exam. Healthcare providers who don’t have the specific training for early onset oral cancer may confuse or miss early signs.

Early Diagnosis Can Save Your Life

Getting checked for oral (or any) cancer regularly is crucial for multiple reasons, but it is ultimately necessary because you want to catch it early. So you have the highest chance of survival. While it typically does not start to show symptoms until around age 40, it occurs in younger patients as well.

Smokeless Tobacco

It is also more widespread for those who use smokeless, (chewing or spit) tobacco to get oral cancer. Many men and women argue that these are safer than smoking traditional cigarettes. This may be true when it comes to lung cancer. But you need to consider the of contracting other issues like oral cancer(s), pancreatic cancer, and/or chronic infections that can bring about heart issues later on.

Also, don’t suppose vaping is less risky. Though there is less research on the health risks of vaping, it certainly hasn’t been proven to be risk-free.

At Rotem Dental Care in Toms River, the dental health and overall health of our patients is our top priority. Our services include general and restorative dentistry. Call for an appointment today!

Contact Rotem Dental Care:

732-228-4028

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

355 Lakehurst Rd
Toms River, New Jersey
08755

 

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