April is Oral Cancer Awareness Month and your dentist plays an important role in keeping your mouth healthy and cancer free. The family dentists at Anchorage Dental Center know that one of the best ways to help  detect oral and oropharyngeal cancers is to schedule regular dental visits. At these visits, you will receive an oral cancer screening to help determine if there are any problem areas that need to be addressed.

Oral and oropharyngeal cancers can affect anyone. According to the Oral Cancer Foundation, approximately 50,000 people are diagnosed with oral cancer each year. While many oral cancers are caused by smoking and alcohol use, others can be caused by HPV, and many people who are diagnosed are healthy, young, non-smokers.

Early detection is imperative in treating any type of cancer, so scheduling and keeping your dental appointments will allow your dentist to monitor and keep track of any changes in your mouth. Oral cancer symptoms can include sores, lesions, or swelling and pain throughout the mouth. Often, these signs are not easily detected until the cancer has already advanced. Bringing these symptoms to the attention of your dentist before your appointment will help them get you started on a treatment plan to address any issues as quickly as possible.   

While you are at your scheduled appointment, your dentist will speak to you about any concerns or symptoms you may be experiencing, check your neck and throat for lumps or bumps, and screen for the above symptoms. They will also check and compare your X-rays to see if there has been any movement in your jaw or shifting of your teeth, which can be other indications of cancer.

This April, take a moment to familiarize yourself with the signs and symptoms of oral cancer and call Anchorage Dental Center at (907) 278-2521 to make an appointment for a dental checkup. For more on all dental services provided by the Anchorage area’s top dental team, including teeth cleaning and dental implants, visit them online.