Are You at Risk for Oral Cancer? Learn What to Look for and How to Get Screened
When you come in for your dental check-up, an oral cancer screening may not be your first priority. It’s possible that it’s not even on your radar. They are, nonetheless, extremely important and simple to implement! Oral cancer tests conducted by a dentist are rapid and can save your life, which is especially crucial if you have one or more risk factors.
Not sure if you’re in danger? Have you ever wondered what oral cancer looks like? Here’s what you should know about this potentially serious disease. Remember that oral cancer screening is included in every checkup and exam with California Dental Group. Call us now at (800) 407-0161 to get started.
Oral cancer: what causes it?
Oral cancer has no known cause, but we do know that certain lifestyle choices raise the chance of the illness. Carcinogens present in cigarette products increase the risk of oral cancer, and other prevalent causes include alcohol misuse, the human papillomavirus (HPV), and excessive sun exposure to the lips.
The sides of the tongue are the most prevalent location for oral cancer. The floor of the mouth, the cheeks, the gums, and the back of the throat are all common sites for oral cancer.
Who is in jeopardy?
Oral cancer is more common in males than in women, and it affects those over the age of 40 more frequently. This is most likely owing to years of exposure to carcinogens on a regular basis. However, we are witnessing an increasing number of younger patients with oral cancer, which might be linked to the prevalence of HPV. HPV is transmitted through oral intercourse and consequently takes up home in the mouth.
If you are in a high-risk category, it is critical that you visit your dentist on a regular basis and maybe undertake some self-examinations in between appointments. The earlier oral cancer is detected, the better the prognosis.
What does oral cancer look like and how does it feel?
Several factors are taken into account during an oral cancer screening. The lymph nodes in your head and neck will be palpated, and the size of your thyroid will be measured by your dentist or dental hygienist. Lymph nodes that are movable are healthy, but lymph nodes that are hard and non-movable are something that we will want to investigate further. We will also examine the tongue, cheeks, lips, and floor of the mouth to check for hard, immovable areas that could indicate a tumor.
Visual examination is an essential aspect of the oral cancer screening procedure. We can detect visual changes in the soft tissues by observing color, size, whether it is raised or flat, and the borders of the area of concern. Healthy soft tissue has a consistent hue, whereas suspicious spots have a varied tint.
Lesions from oral cancer can be white, red, or a mix of the two colors. The borders of oral cancer lesions will be very uneven, and it may be difficult to see the edges, as they are not crisply outlined. Your dentist may advise you to keep an eye on the problem region for a few weeks. If it does not go away, they may want to see you back in the office for a biopsy.