Oral Cancer: a Disease to Speak of and Be Aware About

Oral cancer refers to any cancerous tissue that grows in your mouth tissues. This may be a product of mild lesions caused by metastasis or by other diseases near the mouth (like in the nasal cavity). Oral cancer is just as dangerous; therefore, it should be prevented at all costs.

Lesions are usually the primary symptom of oral cancer. When you see a lesion that appears pale or discolored somewhere in your mouth like on your tongue and lips, have it checked by your doctor. A burning sensation and severe pain will usually be experienced when the oral cancer reaches the worse stages. Difficulty in swallowing and mouth sores are also signs of oral cancer.

The real cause of oral cancer is still unknown, yet there are some factors which experts believe increase the chance of getting oral cancer. Some of these factors are tobacco, alcohol, and human papillomavirus. Patients who have recently undergone hematopoietic stem cell transplantation are also at higher risk of oral cancer.

Prevention of oral cancer, just like most mouth problems, starts with good oral hygiene and healthy lifestyle. Early diagnosis also helps a lot in preventing mouth problems and severe complications. This means that for you to save your mouth from oral cancer, you need to visit your Hilton Head dentist regularly. Ask them to clean your teeth twice a year because not all bacteria can be removed by brushing your teeth alone.

Diagnosis of oral cancer starts from the patient’s inquiry. Therefore, early diagnosis of oral cancer greatly depends on your initiative to visit the dentist. The later you consult your dentist, the worse your dental problem might already be. Ask help from dentists Hilton Head the moment you feel uncomfortable with the lesions in your mouth. They’ll examine your mouth through clinical exams and biopsy of the area you think has a problem.

Treatment of oral cancer depends on the patient’s condition. Surgery or radiation therapy is used for those diagnosed with cancer in its early stages (stages 1 and 2). On the other hand, oral cancer in stages 3 and 4 is treated using both surgery and radiation therapy. There are a lot of ways to treat oral cancer, but this doesn’t mean it is fine to let your guard down. Fight oral cancer with the best Hilton Head dentists!