Nobody likes to hear the word 'cancer' for sure. Would it make you feel better to know that a simple and painless exam in your dentist's office can detect oral cancers at an early stage when treatments are relatively easier and survival rates are good? We think so, yes.
Who is at the risk of oral cancer?
- While
we cannot predict if one person will develop oral cancer and another will
not, there are recognized risk factors for this disease. At the top of the
list are tobacco (including tobacco and "smokeless" chewing
tobacco) and alcohol consumption. The risk of oral cancer increases with
the amount of smoke and alcohol being consumed, thus, people who use
tobacco and drink a lot have the greatest risk. In general, the
consumption of tobacco, alcohol or both accounts for three out of four
oral cancers.
- Exposure
to the sun can increase the risk of cancer of the lip, although this risk
can be easily reduced by the use of sunscreen and the use of a sun hat.
- Also,
some studies indicate that a diet without fruits and vegetables can
increase your risk of oral cancer. The research also continues to
determine whether certain infectious agents, such as human papillomavirus
are involved in oral cancer.
What are the initial signs of oral cancer
The regular screening as part of your dental exam is important and
if you notice certain changes in the mouth area, do not wait for it to be
reviewed. If you notice any of these symptoms, consult the best dentist without any delay.
Any pain in the mouth or injury that does not
heal within two weeks.
Lumps or thickened areas on the cheek.
Discolored patches (red or white) in the mouth.
Difficulty chewing, swallowing or moving the
tongue.
Numbness in your tongue or mouth.
Chronic hoarseness, sore throat or the feeling
that something is stuck in your throat.
Swelling in the jaw; denture users may notice
that dentures do not fit or have become uncomfortable.
It is better to control these symptoms sooner
rather than later. The best dentist will strongly recommend
you to go for frequent screening of your mouth.
Moreover, a good oral cancer examination requires a very practical
approach, since the dentist uses both touch and sight to detect lumps, bumps
and sores that are the early signs of the disease. These are the typical steps
used in an oral cancer screening test:
Firstly, you must remove the dentures.
Then, your screener will visually check your
face, neck, lips and mouth to detect any abnormalities.
Next, your screener will use both hands to
detect lumps in the neck and lower jaw.
The next step is to look within the areas of the
lips and cheeks.
You will be asked to stick your tongue out so it
can be checked for discoloration, swelling, sores or other abnormalities.
The roof and floor of your mouth, along with the
back of your throat, will be examined.
Finally, your screener will look for lumps or
sensitivity on the floor of your mouth. This is done by placing one gloved
finger under the tongue and the other hand under the chin, then pressing or
feeling gently between the hands.
It only takes 2 minutes or less for overall mouth screening and it
can make a big difference in the final result. If cancer or precancerous areas
are detected, a biopsy is likely to be recommended. This involves removing a
small part of the suspect tissue and sending it to a laboratory for
identification. The goal is to use early detection for oral cancer and
treatment to prevent major problems later. The best
dentist will be attentive when it comes to protecting your general health,
as well as your oral health.
If you have convinced to consider mouth screening after going
through this blog post, we recommend you the best
dentists of Lahore, from the healthcare portal of Hayaat.pk. Book an appointment now
and get your oral examination done.
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