When it comes to our health, nobody wants to hear the big ‘C’ word — Cancer. While this disease can affect anywhere in the body, one of the harder types of cancer to diagnose early is oral cancer. However, early diagnosis is key to treating oral cancer successfully and increasing survival rates. So during this Oral Cancer Awareness Month, your dentist in Strongsville wants to make sure that everyone knows how to identify oral cancer and what to do if you see something concerning.
What to Look For
One of the hardest parts of catching oral cancer is that many of the signs can also be symptoms of other non-serious things. There is, however, one sign that should cause concern and should warrant a call to your dentist in Strongsville — if symptoms like these don’t go away after two or three weeks:
Check Your Mouth, Save Your Life
Even though oral cancer can be deadly, it can also be treated very successfully. The key to beating oral cancer is to catch it early and get it treated quickly. Regular visits to your dentist in Strongsville can help monitor your oral health for any changes or any areas that may be a concern. But there are things you should do at home in between visits to help. Head over to checkyourmouth.org/ for more information about at-home oral cancer exams.
Preventing Oral Cancer
Anyone can get oral cancer. However, there are certain risk factors that increase the likelihood of someone developing the disease.
This Oral Cancer Awareness Month, and all year round, make a commitment to yourself and your health to check your mouth for signs of oral cancer, see your dentist in Strongsville every six months, and quit anything that can put you at increased risk.
