As surprising as it sounds, cavities and gum disease aren’t the worst things your mouth can suffer. You could end up with oral cancer that threatens your whole body, greatly lowering your quality of life. That said, you’ll want to know whether you show signs of the latter condition as soon as possible. The good news is your Gahanna dentist will gladly help you do so. Now, here’s a primer on how to tell if you’re at risk of oral cancer.
What Exactly is Oral Cancer?
At its core, oral cancer is a type of cancer that occurs in the mouth or throat. It often develops in the tongue, tonsils, gums, and similar mouth tissues.
Oral cancer can show a wide range of symptoms. In particular, the most common sign is having white or red patches on the gums, tonsils, and mouth lining. Other notable ones include:
- Swelling in the neck
- Constant bad breath (i.e., halitosis)
- A lump in your cheek
- Struggling to swallow or chew
- The sensation of something caught in your throat
- Trouble moving your jaw or tongue
- Weight loss
What are Its Major Risk Factors?
Oral cancer doesn’t have just one potential cause; it has several. In fact, its major risk factors are:
Tobacco & Alcohol Use
While tobacco and alcohol are bad for your smile for several reasons, perhaps the biggest is that they increase your risk of oral cancer. Using standard cigarettes, cigars, pipes, and so on can make mouth-related cancer much more likely. When it’s combined with heavy drinking, the risk rises even more and becomes a near certainty.
HPV Infection
Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a common STD that elevates your risk of oral cancer. Once it occurs, some patients find that their mouth’s cells change and become cancerous. Such changes tend to appear at the back of the throat, the base of the tongue, and in the tonsils.
Excess UV Light
Getting too much sun doesn’t just make skin cancer likely; it also makes oral cancer a risk. After all, several studies now show that UV exposure on your lips can lead to cancer. That means people who have outdoor jobs tend to have a high risk.
How Can You Reduce Your Oral Cancer Risk?
Luckily enough, you can take steps to reduce your oral cancer risk. Just remember to do the following:
- Limit your sun exposure and wear SPF lip balm
- Stick to a balanced diet of fruits and veggies
- If you drink alcohol, do so in moderation
- Remove your dentures at night and clean them daily
- Practice good oral hygiene
With all that said, only a dentist can confirm your risk for oral cancer. Talk to your dental provider about the matter soon!
About the Practice
Claybrooke Dental of Gahanna is based in Gahanna, OH. Led by Drs. Brooke Buller and Clayton Odenweller, our practice makes dentistry very patient-friendly. We offer judgment-free, compassionate treatments that consider a patient’s whole body and mind. That way, your family will surely get smooth, easy, and highly effective dental care for your smiles! For more details or to book a visit, please contact us on our website or by phone at (614)-475-1874.