April is Oral Cancer Awareness Month, the perfect time to see our holistic dentist for your spring cleaning. Not many are aware of this rare disease, and in this year alone, about 54,000 people will be diagnosed with oral cancer in the U.S. It kills one person every hour of every day, and approximately 145 new people will be diagnosed by the end of today. The best news of all is that it can often be detected early through a simple, painless screening.
Every time you come to see our hygienist in Washington, DC, for your cleaning, you receive an oral cancer screening. Every adult needs to be screened. With early detection, the survival rates are high, and the treatment’s side effects are low. Making your dental appointments a high priority also helps to keep your overall health a priority as well.
What Causes Oral Cancer?
There are two ways in which people come to develop oral cancer. One is through the use of tobacco and alcohol, which historically has been a long-term cause.
The other known way is through exposure to the HPV16 virus (human papillomavirus version 16), which is also responsible for the majority of cervical cancers found in women. Now, the quickest-growing population at risk for oral cancer is the young, healthy, non-smokers due to the connection with this virus.
Symptoms of Oral Cancer
The visual signs of oral cancer that you may see in your mouth include:
- Red, white, and/or black discolorations of the soft tissues of the mouth
- A sore that does not heal within 14 days
- A sore under a denture, which even after an adjustment of the denture, still does not heal.
- A lump or thickening that develops in the mouth or on the neck.
The non-visual symptoms you may experience include:
- Hoarseness that lasts for a prolonged period of time
- A sensation that something is stuck in your throat
- Numbness in the oral region
- Difficulty in moving the jaw or tongue
- Difficulty in swallowing
- Ear pain that occurs on one side only
Protect Your Smile with Oral Cancer Screening on Capitol Hill
The DC Dentist provides oral cancer screening on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC, near Maryland and Virginia, to facilitate early detection and timely intervention. You should receive an oral cancer screening at least once a year. However, visiting our office every six months ensures you receive at least two screenings annually.
Early detection saves lives, and it begins with a simple screening. Call The DC Dentist’s office today at 202-544-3626 to schedule your FREE oral cancer screening. For more information about oral cancer, please visit The Oral Cancer Foundation’s website.
