Routine dental cleanings often help to protect more than just a patient’s oral hygiene. During a regular dental visit, dental hygienists and dentists will check the patient’s mouth for tissue and color abnormalities. These differences in color or texture are often accompanied with pain may by an indication of cancer.
Dr. Alexander Ash provides oral cancer screenings in Studio City, California and throughout Southern California
Symptoms of Oral Cancer:
Signs and symptoms of oral cancer may include, but are not limited to:
- White or red patch found in the inside cheeks or gum
- Persistent and irritating sores that do not heal with time
- Ear aches or pains
- Thickening of oral tissue
- Redness and swelling in the mouth
- Tongue pain
- Jaw stiffness
- Sore throat
If you experience any of the above symptoms for an extended period of time and are concerned you may have mouth cancer, please contact your primary dentist or physician immediately.
For more information regarding different types of cancer, including mouth cancer, please follow the link to the government provided website, by clicking HERE.
How to prevent oral cancer in patients?
Oral cancer screenings search for symptoms to detect oral cancer in the early stages before the cancer progresses to more serious stages.
Quit Smoking, Finally
Among various reasons, such as bad breath, lung cancer, and second-hand smoke that threatens the health of others, dangerous tobacco products may also lead to oral cancer. Whether you use chewing tobacco or tobacco cigarettes, tobacco products are dangerous—but that comes as no surprise. If patients need another reason to quit smoking, oral cancer affects the teeth and gum line.
Alcohol
Alcohol may affect the liver and, in certain cases, may be life-threatening in large doses. Most people are not aware that consistently consuming large quantities of alcohol may put you at a higher risk of developing oral cancer. Limit the alcohol drinking, your body and mouth will thank you. Read HERE for more information regarding alcohol and cancer risk.
Visiting the dentist regularly may help to diagnose and treat oral cancer in its early stages. Oral cancer screening exams are performed during routine dental check-ups at Studio Dental Care. Dr. Alexander Ash prides himself in the quality general and cosmetic dentistry services he provides for patients in Burbank, Sherman Oaks, Toluca Lake, and Studio City California. For more questions or concerns regarding oral cancer screening, prevention, and treatments, please feel free to contact Studio Dental Care today.
By Alexander Ash, DDS
Dr. Ash is the founder of Studio Dental Care. He earned his Doctorate at the University of Maryland School of Dentistry, followed by two General Residencies at New York-Presbyterian / Weill-Cornell Hospital and the UCLA Sepulveda VA Hospital.