Dental decay and infection are arguably the most common oral health concerns there are. Indeed, hyperactive bacteria tend to be the basis for many dental threats, but it is important to note that they are far from the only points of concern. As a matter of fact, issues such as teeth-grinding, sleep apnea, and so much more can impact your grin negatively, and some factors are more common than you might have expected. In today’s blog, your Leawood, KS dentist takes a look at the way oral cancer affects your health, as well as what you can do to minimize your risks of development.
How It Impacts Oral Health
Whether you are aware of it or not, oral cancer can actually impact more people than you think. Indeed, from young children and infants to elderly individuals and everyone in-between, everyone faces the possibility of developing oral cancer. What’s more? It could happen at any time and occur due to a number of reasons.
Oral cancer occurs when the cells contained within the oral cavity – such as the cheeks, tongue, and lips – mutate and continue growing without stopping. There is often a common misconception that this phenomenon only occurs to those who use tobacco regularly, but the truth is, it can affect anyone at any time.
Those who experience oral cancer should seek treatment as soon as possible, and time is certainly not on your side when it comes to this phenomenon. To learn more about this process and what you can do to help, reach out to our team or schedule your appointment today.
Signs and Symptoms
When a person experiences oral cancer, there are often a few signs that indicate its occurrence. For example, you may notice a rough red or white patch in the mouth, as well as alarmingly loose teeth, sores that do not seem to heal, and bumps or lumps.
Additionally, a few practices increase your chances of experiencing the phenomenon exists as well. These include tobacco use, excessive alcohol consumption, excessive exposure of the lips to the sun, and even contraction of Human Papillomavirus (HPV). Reach out to our team today to learn more about your options.
What You Can Do
While there is no way to prevent oral cancer altogether, there are a few steps you can take to minimize your risks. For instance, ceasing tobacco use and reducing alcohol consumption can go a long way. Additionally, minimizing your exposure to the sun and attending routine checkups can help as well by providing an opportunity to examine for signs of potential threats.
Schedule Your Appointment
To learn more about the need for oral cancer awareness, contact Dreem Dentistry in Leawood, KS by calling 913-681-5500 and schedule your next appointment with our team today.
