Every April in the U.S. many of the top dental associations in the nation partner up with the Oral Cancer Foundation for Oral Cancer Awareness Month. They feel it’s important to join forces to spread the word about oral cancer and remind people of all ages that when this type of disease is detected early there’s a good chance it can be treated with success. We know you’ll join your Woodlands dentist in raising awareness about this illness that results in an estimated 51, 550 new cases every year, according to the Oral Cancer Foundation.
Is Your Mouth Trying to Tell You Something?
One of your body’s biggest warning signs that something isn’t quite right can occur in your mouth. Any dentist in The Woodlands will tell you that your mouth is like a mirror, giving clues and signs that other diseases are present elsewhere in the body. It’s important to not ignore any unusual bumps, lumps, and sores. However, it’s even more important to keep up with your regular visits to your Woodlands dental office so that we can monitor your mouth for any changes or abnormalities.
The American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons suggests doing an oral cancer self-exam every month by using a bright light and your mirror to:
1) Remove any dentures
2) Look and feel at the inside of your lips and gums
3) Tilt your head back and inspect the roof of your mouth
4) Look at the inside of your cheeks and the backs of your gums
5) Stick out your tongue and look over the top and bottom
6) Feel for lumps or enlarged lymph nodes on both sides of your neck
When you do your at-home checkup, it’s important to be on the lookout for any suspicious white or red patches and lumps. If you do find something, please don’t panic. Make an appointment with your Woodlands dentist as soon as you can for a thorough examination. Remember, early detection and treatment are essential to complete recovery!
Do you have questions about oral cancer? Are you wondering if you’re prone to the disease due to lifestyle habits or even heredity? You can always talk to any of our Woodlands dentists about your concerns. They’re highly skilled with advanced training about detecting and treating different types of oral cancer at all levels. If you can, spread the word about oral cancer awareness in April. You might just save a life!
