When you regularly visit your dentist on a semiannual basis, you can support your oral health in more ways than you may be aware. While each checkup provides the opportunity to remove plaque and fight tooth decay and gum disease, did you know that we check your mouth for the signs of oral cancer too? Sudden changes in your oral tissues can be a cause for concern and indicate the need for examination, but certain symptoms can go unnoticed on your own at home. We will check your tongue, lips, and cheeks and help you learn the signs to examine in between appointments on your own. When you make the habit of reviewing the health of your mouth each morning, you provide the chance to begin treating disease as early as it is caught. Because early detection can increase your odds of a successful treatment, routine cancer screenings can save your life.
At your Prairie Village, KS dental practice, we look for changes in the tissues of your mouth that may indicate oral cancer at each of your routine visits. By attending each exam, you can catch cancer before it advances, so make sure not to skip any cleanings! When you screen for cancer twice per year and perform self-examinations, you can catch the disease early.
Healthy Behaviors To Lower Your Oral Cancer Risk
By identifying cancer risk factors that you can control, you may reduce the odds of developing a case. This is important because other factors like family history of disease or your age are out of your hands. Using tobacco in any of its forms greatly increases your risk of developing the disease. Your risk increases as your consumption increases, so take this information into account when thinking about using tobacco. Alcohol use is another major contributing factor, and combining alcohol consumption with tobacco has a multiplicative effect on your cancer risk.
Practicing a healthy diet that includes nuts, vegetables, fruits, beans, and whole grains can help you lower your risk. Regular exercise is another key lifestyle modifier when it comes to preventing disease. Remember that regular dental visits can catch oral cancer before it worsens, so do not become a stranger to your dentist!
At-Home Cancer Detection
In between cancer screenings at the dentist’s office, check your mouth for any abrupt changes in your oral tissues. When brushing your teeth, you can see changes in your mouth’s color, lumps, or sores that should be reported to your dentist. Let them know about any consistent pain or unexplained weight loss as these symptoms should be explored as well.
Speak With Your Prairie Village, KS Dentist About Scheduling An Oral Cancer Screening
Screening for cancer is the first step in providing successful treatment, so make visiting your dentist a priority. For more information and to schedule a screening, please contact your Prairie Village, KS dental practice today at 913-901-8585.
