According to a recent study, thousands of Canadians are diagnosed with oral cancer every year, several deaths have occurred from this disease. On a positive note, oral cancer can be easily detected with annual dental exams and when identified early, it can be treated.
Oral cancer typically occurs without the patient experiencing any symptoms. This makes regular dental exams by your dentist very important. There are several types of oral cancer however the most common is called squamous cell carcinoma. This usually starts in the lips and mouth regions.
Oral cancer can appear in several areas, including:
- Lips
- Mouth
- Tongue
- Salivary glands
- Throat (oropharyngeal region)
- Gums
- Face
Why You Need an Oral Cancer Exam by your Danforth Dentist
The majority of oral cancers detected are a result from bad habits such as smoking, tobacco use and consuming too much alcohol. Our Danforth dental office can assist patients by providing advice and support to quit these habits.
When oral cancer is detected at an early stage, the disease can be treated successfully. Any changes detected in your mouth, tongue, gums or throat should be examined by a doctor or dentist as soon as possible. During an oral cancer exam in Danforth, our dentist will look for any signs of cancer in your mouth and face.
Here are some of the signs your dentist will check for:
- Red patches and sores: Red spots found in the mouth, on the tongue, or sores that bleed and don’t heal.
- Leukoplakia: Hard white or gray patches that appear inside the mouth. If this condition is not treated, the patches may become cancerous.
- Lumps: Any lumps or thick areas in the mouth or throat could be signs of a oral cancer problem.
How Oral Cancer is Diagnosed and Treated
A examination for oral cancer is quick and causes no pain. Your dentist in Danforth will inspect your mouth, face, neck and glands for any abnormal signs.
The dentist will then treat the issues detected via a treatment plan. If the treatment plan does not show improvement, a biopsy may be taken to evaluate the problem further. If cancer is detected, the biopsy will help determine the stage of the cancer. Oral cancer is diagnosed when the cancerous cells break through the lining tissue in the mouth. If left untreated, the disease could spread to other areas.
The treatment of oral cancer in Danforth depends on the development and the stage of cancer the patient may have. The options of treatment can include surgery, radiation, or chemotherapy altogether.
The information provided is for general information purposes only and not intended to replace professional care. Please consult your physician or dentist for advice and diagnoses so you can be properly treated for your specific situation.