Weybridge Dentist Gives Advice on Oral Cancer
At your Weybridge Dental Clinic, the dentist will screen you for the possibility of oral cancer at your dental checkups. Usually oral cancer(s) are most often noticed when they are late in their development. The reason for this is not due to difficulty noticing them; it is because people do not seek regular dental care. If diagnosed when they have been present for awhile, the death rate from these cancers increase exponentially. At times they are discovered when they have already metastasized to the neck and there is lymph node involvement. These individuals will usually not seek dental care until pain and/or symptoms are visible to them. Oral cancer(s) are more treatable if they are discovered early in there development. The recurrence of oral cancer(s) is 20 xs higher in individuals that have been treated for these cancers versus individuals who have never had oral cancer(s). A good sign is if the individual remains cancer free for 5 to 10 years following initial treatment. The majority of oral cancers are squamous cell carcinomas.
It is crucial that you contact your Weybridge dentist or physician if you have any if the following signs and/or symptoms: Oral lesions and sores that do not heal within two weeks; a lump of thickening of the cheek; red and/or white patches on your gums, tongue or oral mucosa; a nagging feeling of something being stuck in your throat or lengthy throat soreness; problems with eating, and movement of the jaw and tongue, or numbness of the tongue or mouth; and, swelling of the jaw. All of the above could be the result of something different, but why take the chance. Certain procedures can be performed to make sure whether you do or do not have oral cancer at your Weybridge dentist or doctor’s office. Using tobacco products can increase your risk for oral cancer significantly, as well as alcohol consumption. Using both also increases your risk more significantly. Treatment(s) for oral cancer(s) usually involve radiation, chemotherapy, and/or surgery.