Mouth Cancer is a serious type of cancer that affects a large number of people. One of the key elements of mouth cancer is the importance of early detection. While dental check-ups can result in the condition being identified, there are also signs that we can all look out for. This can help our oral health significantly.
Mouth Cancer is a type of cancer that some people are unaware of. While it doesn’t have the same mortality rates as some cancers, it is a very serious condition.
One of the main problems with detecting mouth cancer is that not many people are aware of its symptoms. In fact, for some people, they may not think the symptoms are abnormal.
But it is very important for everyone to know the signs and symptoms of mouth cancer. Moreover, as with any oral health condition, early detection is crucial.
Background
Mouth Cancer – also known as Oral Cancer – is a condition that affects a large number of people. For example, in the United Kingdom, in 2022, around 9,000 people were diagnosed with the condition [1].
There are a range of potential causes, or at least risk factors, for mouth cancer. For example, these include smoking, obesity, high alcohol consumption, and a weakened immune system [2].
However, when mouth cancer is detected early, there is a cure rate of just over 90% [3] – which is very positive. Yet so many cases of mouth cancer are detected late.
A dental check-up is the easiest way for any problems to be detected. However, for a range of reasons, some people aren’t able to make it to a dentist. If this is the case, then it is very important that you regularly check your mouth for the early warning signs of mouth cancer.
The signs and symptoms of mouth cancer
The main symptoms and signs of mouth cancer include:
• Growth of a tumor in the mouth
• Lump or swelling in the mouth which persists for a few weeks – often in the jaw or neck
• Appearance of red or white patches in the mouth
• Persistent mouth ulcers, or ulcers that do not heal within a few weeks
• Loose teeth that can’t be unexplained in other ways
• Constant feeling of sore throat or hoarseness which persists for a few weeks [4]
If you ever notice any of the above symptoms, it is very important to see your dentist as soon as possible. Sometimes, specialist referrals can take place.
When you see a dentist, they will be able to take a thorough look at your oral health, and spot any signs that you may have mouth cancer. Dentists are very skilled at identifying signs of oral health problems.
Treatment of mouth cancer
The importance of the early detection of mouth cancer cannot be understated. As mentioned earlier, when mouth cancer is detected early, there is a cure rate of just over 90% [3].
In recent years, many new treatments have been implemented, with older treatments seeing improvements too. These include robotic surgery and immunotherapy [4]. However, these are primarily geared towards those whose symptoms have been discovered early.
For those with more advanced cases of mouth cancer, treatments have been known to potentially affect facial appearance, swallowing, and speech in the mouth [4]. Therefore, this underlines the importance of early detection.
Prevention rather than reaction
As with any oral health condition, the focus should be on prevention rather than reactive measures. As usual, measures like brushing your teeth at least twice a day and flossing should be a minimum.
But also, lifestyle factors play a role. Alcohol consumption, tobacco use, and poor diet can all affect the onset of the condition. Trying to avoid these pitfalls is important, as it can help to prevent oral conditions from developing.
Thinking points…
1) As discussed in the article above, early detection of mouth cancer is vital! The easiest way for any problems to be detected is to attend a regular dental check-up. At a check-up, a dentist can have a thorough look at your oral health and identify any problems that exist. We recommend booking an appointment now!
2) Now that you have read this article, looking back to beforehand – were you aware of the signs of mouth cancer? Many people are unaware of them. One thing that could help the oral health of your friends and family is to be aware of these symptoms. Therefore, why not share this article with them so that they can see the signs themselves? We recommend sharing now!
What we offer at Savanna Dental
Savanna Dental is a Calgary dental clinic that provide its patients with a wide range of dental treatment options and advice aimed at improving their oral health.
We advise our patients to attend our Calgary-based dental clinic twice a year for a regular dental check-up. When problems are detected, we have many treatments available. For instance, these include cavity fillings and root canals. To try and prevent problems, it is important to brush your teeth at least twice a day and floss regularly.
Here at Savanna Dental, we also have some cosmetic treatments available! These include dental implants, tooth whitening and Invisalign™! Many people find that these treatments have a positive impact on their appearance, confidence and self-esteem.
In addition, all of our services at our Calgary dental clinic Savanna Dental are in line with the Alberta Dental Fee Guide.
We would love you to visit our Savanna Dental clinic in Calgary! You can find out more about us by visiting our website https://savannadentalclinic.ca.
References
[1] Oral Health Foundation. (2022). The State of Mouth Cancer UK Report 2022. Available: https://www.dentalhealth.org/thestateofmouthcancer. Last accessed: 30th November 2023.
[2] Ferlay, J., Soerjomataram, I., Dikshit, R., Eser, S., Mathers, C., Rebelo, M., Parkin, D. M., Forman, D., & Bray, F. (2015). Cancer incidence and mortality worldwide: sources, methods and major patterns in GLOBOCAN 2012. International Journal of Cancer. 136 (5): p359-386. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/ijc.29210.
[3] Care Quality Commission. (2023). Dental mythbuster 33: Detecting oral cancer and improving outcomes in primary care. Available: https://www.cqc.org.uk/guidance-providers/dentists/dental-mythbuster-33-detecting-oral-cancer-improving-outcomes-primary. Last accessed: 30th November 2023.
[4] Ho, M. (2023). How to check your mouth for cancer when getting to see a dentist is hard. Available: https://medicalxpress.com/news/2023-11-mouth-cancer-dentist-hard.html. Last accessed: 30th November 2023.
