Common Signs of Oral Cancer

When you visit your White Lake, MI, dentist for a checkup, you can expect a cleaning, polishing, maybe X-rays, and a thorough visual exam. One of the things that your dentist may check for at these appointments is signs of oral cancer, a condition that affects up to 50,000Oral Cancer Americans each year according to the National Institutes of Health. Oral cancer screenings play a major role in maintaining relatively high survival rates for this condition.

What Is Oral Cancer?
When abnormal cells grow in the oral cavity, including the lips, tongue, throat, gums, and lips, it is classified as oral cancer. It can be caused by certain strains of HPV (human papillomavirus), a sexually transmitted disease that can infect the mouth. The risk of this disease increases in people who smoke or abuse substances. It is more common in men than women and may be a hereditary condition. Any patient who falls into any of these categories should watch for signs and see their dentist for help.

Common Signs
In between regular appointments with your White Lake dentist, it’s important to keep a close eye on your teeth and gums. These are the signs to look out for if you feel you may be at risk for oral cancer:

- Sores in the mouth that don’t heal after a reasonable amount of time.
- Patchy red or white bumps in the mouth.
- Unusual pain or sensation of numbness in the oral cavity.
- Problems swallowing or chewing.
- Feeling that something is stuck in the throat other than mucus.

Regular Checkups
If you’ve been previously diagnosed with a case of oral cancer, or you have a family history of this oral problem, it’s particularly important that you go in for regular dental checkups. Your dentist will carefully look at all areas of the mouth using a dental light and check for abnormal growths. If a potential issue is identified, a biopsy will be taken for an official diagnosis and, if necessary, a course of treatment will be recommended.

See Your Dentist for Diagnosis and Treatment
If you’ve noticed something that could be a common sign of oral cancer, don’t put off seeing your dentist for help. Treatment in the earliest stages is ideal. Call (248) 887-8387 today to schedule an appointment with Dr. David Campbell at his office in White Lake, MI.

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