Jeff R. Call, DMD, FAGD, FICOI Dix C. Densley, DDS, FAGD, FICOI |
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Posted on 5/5/2015 by Dr. Call |
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 Since the time of learning how to brush you have been told the horrific diseases and nasty things that would happen if you were to ever stop brushing them. Cancer, like many other serious conditions, can happen to anyone, age is definitely not a factor. Age may not matter, but habits do. The habits that you have as adults, and even a few as adolescents, can lead to oral cancer. Who Can Get Oral Cancer?You may not always be aware of what is happening inside of your mouth. For this reason, you should continue to see a dentist at least once every six months, and even more if you participate in habits that could higher your risk of getting oral cancer. It does not matter if you have your natural teeth, veneers, or a full set of denture, you are still at risk of getting oral cancer if you participate in any of the following:
There are several things that you should do if you feel as if you have oral cancer, one of them is to seek help immediately. The quicker it is caught, the easier it is to treat. Conducting an At-Home Self Examination for Oral CancerA large population of the world has a risk of developing some type of disease or condition because of genetics. Genetics may play a part in your risks, but your habits can have an even greater impact. Therefore, it is ideal to know how to examine yourself for the ones you can catch early on. Conducting an at-home self-examination for oral cancer can be as easy as looking in a mirror. In fact, you will be looking at your mouth in a mirror majority of the time. Hand held mirrors are ideal for this purpose. By shining a light inside of your mouth, and looking in the mirror, search your mouth completely to check for any abnormalities. This can be small discolorations or bleeding, open sores. Once you have checked everything, including your tongue, the roof of your mouth, underneath your tongue, gums, and inside of the lips you can begin to feel around in these areas for bumps or lumps. Upon finding any, contact your dentist immediately. Treating Oral CancerIf found, oral cancer treatments will include surgery. This surgery consists of removing the growth of cancerous cells. After surgery treatments includes chemotherapy and radiation to prevent and destroy cancer cells. It can be a very long and painful process. It is best to do everything that you can to lower your risks of getting oral cancer. Brushing and flossing regularly, twice a day or once after every meal, can help to keep your risks down. Cutting back if you smoke and drink can also be a big help in lowering the risks. The foods that you consume can play a major role in what happens to your body. Foods that are bad for your teeth and gums should be avoided if possible. Any particles left behind can seem harmless at first, but eventually grow and create problems for your mouth. Even if you cannot floss or brush your teeth, try to rinse after each meal. Rinsing in between can help wash away any bad bacteria in the mouth until you can brush. If you feel as though you may be at risk for oral cancer, or have not had a screening done, please contact our office today at (971) 708-1608. The earlier it is detected, the better chances of having successful treatment. |
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Century Dental
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