One of the most serious problems that can affect the mouth is oral cancer. This is a potentially life threatening condition that occurs in the oral cavity but one that can be treated effectively in caught in its early stages. The longer the disease is allowed to develop untreated the greater the chances of it becoming fatal.

There are many risk factors that make you more likely to suffer from the condition. These include:

• Age – You are more likely to suffer from oral cancer if you are over the age of 40

• Sex – Males are twice as likely to suffer from oral cancer as women

• Weight – Patients who are overweight are also more likely to suffer from oral cancer as those patients who are in good shape and of a healthy weight

• Lifestyle – Smoking any kind of tobacco product significantly increases your risk of contracting oral cancer. Drinking alcohol also greatly increases the risk. When the two factors are combined the risk becomes even more heightened as the two combined can be very destructive to the cells and tissue in the mouth

However, it must be remembered that everyone is at risk from oral cancer and that 25 per cent of patients who contract oral cancer have none of the high risk factors.

The best way to beat oral cancer is to have a regular check up with a Molesey dentist. They can examine the mouth every six months or more regularly if desired. They can check for any suspicious signs and conduct a brush biopsy of any tissue. If the results come back positive they can refer you immediately to a specialist for treatment. This is the best way of beating oral cancer and keeping yourself safe from this very dangerous and destructive condition.

Oral cancer will usually first manifest itself as a sore or growth that won’t go away naturally. Oral cancer, which includes cancer of any part of the mouth or throat such as lips, cheek, hard and soft palates and tongue can be life threatening if not diagnosed and treated early.

Men are twice as likely as women to get oral cancer with men over the age of 50 being particularly at risk. Factors that increase the risk of oral cancer include smoking, which can increase your chance of oral cancer by as much as 600 percent. Excessive consumption of alcohol can also increase your chances by a similar degree.

Other factors that can increase the risk of oral cancer include excessive exposure to sunlight and a family history of cancer. People who use smokeless tobacco products such as snuff, dip or chewing tobacco are a massive 50 times more likely to develop cancer of the cheek, lips or tongue. Although it is important to note that a quarter of people who contract oral cancer do not use tobacco products and only drink alcohol in moderation.

The symptoms or oral cancer include: unexplained bleeding in the mouth; the development of white or red patches in the mouth; difficulty chewing speaking or swallowing; swelling, lumps or eroded areas in the mouth; dramatic weight loss.

These are only some of the symptoms so it is always best to consult your dentist if you have any concerns. Your Shepperton dentist can conduct an oral cancer screening exam as part of your regular dental check-up and can perform a brush biopsy of any suspicious looking sores in the mouth. This test is completely painless and involves taking a small sample of tissue for analysis. Your Shepperton dentist will also be able to check for any tissue changes in your oral cavity, neck and head. If oral cancer is detected in its early stages patients have a greater than 80 percent chance of successful treatment.