An oral cancer diagnosis can be overwhelming. As you undergo oral surgery and other procedures, it’s important to take steps to prioritize your emotional and physical health. Fortunately, oral cancer patients have access to both health care and support resources to help them through treatment. Once your dentist confirms a diagnosis, you can expect to take the following steps. 

Steps to Take After an Oral Cancer Diagnosis

1. Talk to Your Dentist About Treatment

Following your diagnosis, you and your dentist will talk about treatment options. These procedures can include oral surgery to remove the tumor, neck surgery, and reconstructive mouth surgery. Some patients will also undergo chemotherapy, radiation, and targeted drug therapy. Talk to your dentist about potential side effects and what you can expect once you undergo treatment. 

2. Seek Support Resources

Cancer treatment can by physically and emotionally draining, so you need a support system you can rely on. Confide in friends and family, letting them know how they can help you through your treatments. You can also ask your dentist to refer you to a counselor or a support group for others with oral cancer. 

3. Take Care of Your Health

As you recover from surgery or undergo other treatments, your body will feel the effects. This is why it’s essential to eat well, keep moving, and get plenty of rest. Your mental health also matters, so take the time to write in a journal, go for walks, read a book, and simply relax. While you may experience stress during treatment, self care can help.

4. Make Physical Accommodations 

You can expect to have certain limitations with eating and speech following treatment. Missing teeth and mouth sores may also cause these issues. Since oral surgery and radiation can cause swelling, your dentist may recommend eating soft food or smaller portions. To help with speech difficulties, your dentist may refer you to a speech language pathologist. They can help you with speech and give you devices to assist with speech.

If you have recently been diagnosed with oral cancer, you need the right surgical professionals to provide treatment. Oral Surgery Associates of Alaska offers a variety of procedures to help patients in Anchorage recover. Led by surgeons Dr. William F. Bergeron, Jr. and Dr. Ray Holloway, this team provides wisdom teeth removal, reconstructive surgery, teeth extraction, and dental implant placement. To view a full list of services, visit their website. You can also call (907) 561-1430 to make an appointment today.