Your Dentist in Mesquite Honors Oral Cancer Awareness Month

During April, our offices are celebrating the arrival of spring in the DFW area — and we are also honoring Oral Cancer Awareness Month! Did you know that estimates say one American per hour will be killed by oral cancer this year? Most people don’t. Keep reading to learn more about this disease, and how getting an oral cancer screening from your dentist in Mesquite could (literally) save your life.

About Oral Cancer

Oral cancer is that which affects the lips, cheeks, hard or soft palate, tongue, gums, or throat. It is primarily linked to tobacco use. The human papillomavirus (HPV), which is on the rise in the United States, is also closely tied to oral cancer. As a result, more young, otherwise healthy patients are being diagnosed with HPV-related oral cancer than ever before. Early detection can greatly enhance the chances of successful treatment.

Oral Cancer Risk Factors

There are a few factors that dramatically increase the risk of developing oral cancer. Some of the most common risk factors include:

• Tobacco use (the vast majority of oral cancer cases are linked to smoking and tobacco)
• HPV
• Prolonged UV exposure
• Age (while more younger patients are developing this disease, most people with oral cancer are over the age of 55)
• Gender (men are slightly more likely than women to develop oral cancer)
• Family history of oral cancer

Warning Signs of Oral Cancer

During an oral cancer screening, your dentist or doctor will look out for irregularities that could indicate the presence of precancerous or cancerous cells in or around the mouth. All new patients of Bear Creek Family Dentistry receive a full panoramic x-ray, which we use to spot any potential issues (indicating oral cancer and other oral health hazards).

Some of the warning signs of oral cancer include:

• Lesions that have not healed after two weeks
• Lumps or bumps
• Rough patches or spots of discoloration
• Asymmetry of the face
• Swelling
• Change in the tone of voice
• Difficulty swallowing or the sensation that something is caught in the throat

If we detect a problematic area with an x-ray, our team will make a recommendation to help you get the proper follow-up care as soon as is necessary. A lesion that has not healed should be biopsied right away, while other symptoms may just require monitoring.

Let’s Honor Oral Cancer Month

April is Oral Cancer Month, which means it is a great time to pencil in an oral cancer screening! If you have never had a panoramic x-ray taken, come into Bear Creek Family Dentistry to have your oral health checked out. It will give you real peace of mind — and could even save your life.

Meet the Practice

The team at Bear Creek Family Dentistry offers comprehensive dentistry across the DFW Metroplex. To learn more about oral cancer or to schedule an oral cancer screening in Mesquite or at any of our other convenient locations, you are invited to contact the office. In Mesquite, we can be reached at 972-331-5300.