Published on May 1st, 2014 | by Natural Awakenings Staff
0Better Safe Than Sorry with Oral Cancer
There are several warning signs of oral cancer that everyone should be aware of, including a sore or irritation that doesn’t go away; red or white patches; pain, tenderness or numbness in mouth or lips; a lump, thickening, rough spot, crust or small eroded area; difficulty chewing, swallowing, speaking or moving the jaw or tongue; and a change in the way the teeth fit together when closing the mouth. If we experience any of these symptoms, an examination should be scheduled with a dentist as soon as possible, because it is imperative to diagnose the cancer when it is in an early stage.
People that are at the highest risk of developing oral cancer include those that are over 50 and consume large ammounts of alcohol, as well as smokers. The sexually transmitted version of the human papilloma virus (HPV) is also related to an increasing incidence of mouth cancer in non-smoking patients, as well. Any suspicious changes in oral health can be detected early by having regular dental visits, and this simple routine can improve the patient’s outcome.
Smile Design Specialists, the practice of Richard Ekstein, DDS, is located at 312 Belleville Tpke, Ste. 3B, in North Arlington, NJ. For more information, call 201-991-1228 or vist SmileDesignSpecialist.com.