Month Cancer Month - Hendford Dental Practice Yeovil
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Mouth Cancer Month

Mouth Cancer Month

This blog post provides information about oral cancer, including the risk factors and how to reduce your risk. Cancer is a scary prospect for anyone, and awareness is a critical way to reduce terminal diagnoses. That is why this November, we want to discuss mouth cancer and the essential factors to consider. As details, we are ideally placed to identify worrying signs and share our knowledge to help everyone catch any issues early. 

Mouth cancer or Oral cancer can come in many forms, from the lips and cheeks to the tongue and saliva glands. As with any cancer, this can be a very upsetting and scare concept. We believe reducing your risk factors and arranging regular checkups with your dentist is essential as early diagnosis can significantly change the outlook if any cancer is identified.  

Hendford Dental Practice

Symptoms 

Mouth cancer can present itself in several ways. In this section, we will discuss some of the most common symptoms of mouth cancer. If you or a loved one develops any of these symptoms, we advise you to consult your doctor or dentist as soon as possible. Prompt diagnosis is essential to begin treatment as quickly as possible.  Below is a list of possible symptoms:

  • mouth ulcers that are painful and do not heal within several weeks
  • unexplained, persistent lumps in the mouth or the neck that do not go away
  • unexplained loose teeth or sockets that do not heal after extractions
  • unexplained, constant numbness or an odd feeling on the lip or tongue
  • sometimes, white or red patches on the lining of the mouth or tongue
  • changes in speech, such as a lisp
  • A lip or mouth sore that doesn’t heal
  • A growth or lump inside your mouth
  • Mouth pain
  • Ear pain
  • Difficult or painful swallowing

It is worth mentioning that these symptoms do not mean you have oral cancer; however, they can be an early sign of an issue. If you have developed any of the above symptoms and are concerned, contact our excellent team today. 

Risks Factors 

Like with many cancers, there are several risk factors to consider; it is essential to remember that mouth cancer can happen to anyone; however, these factors can significantly increase your risk. If you want more information about mouth cancer risk factors, our expert team will be happy to help. 

Smoking 

As with many forms of cancer, smoking can be a significant risk factor. Not only is cigarette smoke a known carcinogen, but smoking also reduces the rate of healing in your mouth and lungs, which can result in the cancer causing more damager before diagnosis. If you currently smoke and are concerned about any possible symptoms, contact our local GP as soon as possible. 

Alcohol

Similarly to smoking, alcohol is a known carcinogen and can have many health impacts when consumed in excess.  The NHS advises healthy adults do not to drink more than 14 units of alcohol per week, there is also advice this quantity is not consumed in one day, but id spread over the week if possible. If you are concerned about any symptoms you are exhibiting or your drinking pattern, contact our GP as a priority. 

UV exposure

We all know that exposure to the sun can be a risk factor for skin cancer, right? Did you also know that excessive exposure to the sun can also be a risk factor for lip cancer? Many of us are cautious over the summer month and use suncream or avoid the sun where possible; however, the same precaution should be taken with our lips. We recommend using a UV blocking lip balm over the summer months. If you have any reason to be concerned, contact a medical professional urgently. 

Weakened Immune System 

There are many reasons people have or develop weakened immune systems. It is essential for though with a weakened immune system to take special precautions in many areas of their life and lip, and mouth cancer is no exception. If you have been diagnosed with a weakened immune system, plan regular checks to ensure any cancer is identified and diagnosed as soon as possible.

Emergency Dentist 

Preventative Measures 

There are several methods to reduce your risk of oral cancer. These mainly fall under lowering your exposure to the carcinogen mentioned above. Reducing these risk factors can take the form of medical help to reduce the use or dependency on alcohol or cigarettes. In addition, ensuring you arrange frequent checkups with your dentist is a crucial way to identify any potential problems as early as possible. Here at Hendford Dental Practice Yeovil, we are proud to offer comprehensive checkups in addition to our other services, which include Cosmetic Dentistry, Dental Hygiene, Root Canals, Teeth Whitening and Veneers. Contact our friendly team today if you would like to discuss any of our services or treatment plans.

Mouth Cancer is a scary diagnosis, but the risk can be reduced by practising good dental hygiene and getting regular checkups. Be sure to get your teeth cleaned at least twice per year, and don’t hesitate to tell us if you notice any of the symptoms mentioned above or risk factors for Mouth Cancer: -Increased salivation (drooling) -A sore that doesn’t heal after two weeks -Persistent pain in the mouth with no apparent cause If you experience these signs we recommend seeing our team of specialists right away! And remember, November is National Mouth Cancer Month, so visit us today while we’re thinking about this topic.

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