Oral Cancer Is On The Rise Whole Dental Wellness

I hate to say it, but oral cancer is on the rise, guys. There are multiple risk factors and causes that you should be vigilant about.

Risk Factors

Oral cancer can occur when your cells change their DNA. There are a variety of risk factors that you should be vigilant about. Tobacco use, HPV, heavy alcohol use, and too much sun exposure are just a few. Attempt to limit your tobacco and alcohol use. Wear sunscreen every day, including your lips.

Symptoms

Some indicators of oral cancer can be mouth pain, ear pain, difficulty swallowing, or a growth or lesion in your mouth. I know what you must be thinking, “I have some of those sometimes.” Don’t freak out just yet, these symptoms are for a variety of ailments and just because you have one or two from time to time doesn’t necessarily mean you have oral cancer.

Treatment

A biopsy can detect oral cancer. There are different kinds of treatments for each type of oral cancer, and it just depends on the diagnosis.

In order to prevent or get ahead of oral cancer, make sure you are visiting your dentist regularly - twice a year at a minimum if you are lucky enough to not have bone and gum disease. When you apply SPF, don’t forget your lips! Limit your alcohol and tobacco use. Be vigilant about taking care of yourself, including your oral hygiene. Prevention is always the best cure.