While good oral health often involves having a shiny smile, it’s mostly important for keeping you safe from other serious conditions. One major issue people face today is oral cancer. Without proper preventive dental care, you could potentially increase your chances of encountering this situation. Keep reading from your dentist in St. Albans to learn the symptoms, risk factors, and ways you can prevent the likelihood of oral cancer.
What Are the Symptoms of Oral Cancer?
This condition typically occurs inside the mouth and around the throat. The symptoms to identify consist of the following:
- White or reddish patches inside your mouth
- Mouth or lip sores that don’t go away
- Difficulty or uncomfortable swallowing
- A lump or growth inside the mouth
- Loose teeth
- Mouth or ear pain
What Are the Risk Factors?
Oral cancer forms when the DNA of the cells on the lips or in the mouth become mutated. When this happens, the cells continue to grow and divide, which can turn into a tumor that can spread throughout the body. There are certain factors that can contribute to the cells changing, such as tobacco use, excessive alcohol consumption, a weakened immune system, and extreme sun exposure to the lips.
How Can I Help Prevent Oral Cancer?
There are several crucial ways to reduce your chances of mouth cancer. These simple methods include:
- Limiting alcohol consumption: Excessive alcohol use can actually irritate the cells in your mouth, making them susceptible to disease and cancer. You could either drink in moderation or remove it entirely from your day-to-day life. If you do drink it, however, it’s best to only consume one beverage a day.
- Avoiding tobacco use: Whether chewing or smoking tobacco, it can expose the cells in the mouth to dangerous cancer-causing chemicals. The best way to reduce any risks is to keep away from these products altogether.
- Reducing sun exposure to the lips: If you’re about to spend a lengthy time in the sun, be sure to protect your lips with sunscreen as well. Wear a broad-brimmed hat to cover your face, or stay in the shade as much as possible to prevent exposing the cells.
- Visiting your dentist often: Other than a dental cleaning, your dentist will monitor your oral health for any signs of oral cancer. If they find anything early on, they’ll be able to treat it right away to avoid more serious changes.
Understanding the symptoms and preventing your risks is the best way to keep yourself safe from oral cancer. Speak with your dentist if you ever have concerns, and they’ll be more than happy to help!
About the Practice
At St. Albans Dental, we are proud to deliver high-quality, comprehensive, and passionate dental care. We provide multiple advanced treatments—such as dental checkups, cleanings, and emergency dentistry—all under one comfortable roof. If you want to know more about oral cancer or would like to schedule a visit, feel free to visit our website or call 802-524-4844.