Regular visits to a dental office do more than just preserve your beautiful smile. Your family dentist can also check for signs of serious illnesses such as oral cancer, which is found in around 50,000 Americans every year. This April, take advantage of Oral Cancer Awareness Month to learn how you can mitigate your risk.

Causes of Oral Cancer

Oral cancer is more likely to develop in people over 40 and is most common in men. Risk factors include heavy alcohol use, smoking or chewing tobacco, unhealthy diet, and excessive sun exposure. You may also be more susceptible if you have previously had the human papillomavirus (HPV).

Symptoms and Signs

Signs of oral cancer include numbness or pain when biting or chewing, spots inside the mouth that bleed consistently without healing, and red or white patches in the mouth. You may also feel lumps or hard spots in your mouth or cheeks.

How Dental Exams Protect You

Through an oral screening, a family dentist can detect signs of this cancer before you notice them yourself. During this exam, your dentist looks for discoloration or sores in your mouth, checks for lumps, and takes samples of any abnormal tissues for lab testing.

Dental screenings are important because like other forms of cancer, the sooner the disease is caught, the more easily it can be treated. If a family dentist diagnoses you with oral cancer, your treatment varies depending on the stage of your condition, and can include surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy.

Mark Oral Cancer Awareness Month and schedule a family dentist appointment with Robert A Klement, DDS of Wisconsin Rapids, WI. With over 30 years of experience, his full-service practice offers periodontal exams, cosmetic dentistry including teeth whitening, teeth cleanings, and other services to keep your mouth fresh and healthy.  Find out more about his services online or call (715) 421-3030 to book an appointment.