Visit Your Dentist in Torrance to Catch Oral Cancer!

When you visit the dentist, you’re probably familiar with the typical examination and cleaning you’ve been getting for years. However, you may not realize that your dentist is also checking for signs of oral cancer. Since April is oral cancer awareness month, she wanted to talk about the signs and risk factors of oral cancer, so you can better protect yourself.

It’s also just another reason why visiting your dentist in Torrance twice a year is so important. The better you stick to this commitment, the sooner she can catch it in the early stages where it’s easier to treat and cure.

Why are Oral Cancer Screenings Important?

Oral cancer screenings in Torrance are intended to catch oral cancer in its early stages. Dentists are in a unique position to do this more effectively than general practitioners because dentists give this area of your body more attention. When oral cancer is caught early, it’s far easier to treat and patients are more likely to be cured in these stages.

In fact, the survival rate rises to 80-90% when oral cancer is caught early! However, patients who have oral cancer in its advanced stages typically don’t survive much longer than 5 years, so the best thing you can do is get checked regularly.

How Does My Dentist Detect Oral Cancer?

During your routine exam, your dentist always asks you if any changes in your medical history occurred. This includes any new medications you’re taking or other health issues that you’ve been diagnosed for recently. She’ll also ask if any unusual symptoms have appeared, mainly surrounding your mouth, neck, and head. This way, she’ll know what to keep in mind during her examination.

During the exam, she’ll review these areas and the oral tissues for signs of abnormalities. Early signs of oral cancer typically include:

• Abnormalities in or around the tongue
• Swollen lymph nodes
• Open sores that don’t heal normally

If signs are detected, your dentist will perform a biopsy to confirm if you have oral cancer. Even if no cancer is present, they’ll be sure to remind you of the steps to take to reduce your risk.

How Do I Protect Myself?

Besides visiting your dentist in Torrance every six months, you’ll need to take note of your risk factors. For example, drinking in excess or using tobacco regularly are the largest risk factors of oral cancer. Therefore, you’ll want to reduce your alcohol consumption and quit tobacco use altogether to minimize your risk. Keep in mind that men are twice as more likely to get oral cancer than women as they age, so they must pay especially close attention to their symptoms and habits to catch it.

In between your dental exams, practice a monthly self-exam at home in the mirror. This entails checking all the surfaces of your tongue, mouth, lips, and throat for:

• White or red patches
• Sores that fail to heal or bleed easily
• Abnormal lumps or thickening of mouth tissues
• Masses or lumps in the neck

This April, don’t let oral cancer screenings go undone. Schedule an appointment with your dentist today!

About the Author

Dr. Sanaz Hamzehpour earned her Doctor of Dental Surgery degree from UCLA in 2008. She’s an expert on spotting issues in the head, neck, and mouth, including the symptoms of oral cancer. To learn more about her oral cancer screenings, get yourself checked, or learn more about her practice, contact her at (310) 424-3100 or visit her website.