April is Oral Cancer Awareness Month and it is a top priority of ours to ensure you get the best oral cancer screenings at your dental check-ups. Every year in the United States over 30,000 people are diagnosed with oral cancer.
It’s imperative to get detected as early as possible for an increased survival. The five-year survival rate is 20% for those who don’t get detected early because the cancer has time to spread throughout the rest of the body.
There are many causes of oral cancer, but in the United States, the combination of tobacco use and high alcohol consumption is estimated to have caused the majority of oral cancer diagnoses. Some of the other causes include: contracting HPV (human papillomavirus), excessive sun exposure, diet, and family history of oral cancer. Most oral cancers start in squamous cells – cells that line most surfaces such as the mouth, nose and throat.
It’s important that you’re coming in for your regular dental check-ups and cleanings because we will check for any signs of oral cancer during those visits. Although, if you notice any of these symptoms, make an appointment with us immediately:
- Patches inside the mouth or on the lips
- A sore on the mouth that won’t heal
- Bleeding in the mouth
- Loose teeth
- Pain or difficulty swallowing
- Lump in the neck
- Numbness of lower lip and chin
- Difficulty wearing dentures
- Persistent earache
Always keep up on your oral health practices as well as living a healthy lifestyle to stray away from oral cancer. At Best Reno Dentists we are skilled at treating patients from all dental backgrounds and make every effort to ensure your appointment is as comfortable as possible. Our dental savings plan is designed to provide affordability and greater access to quality dental care. Dr. Brunelli and Dr. Silvaroli strive to provide dental treatment to their patients.
