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Oral Cancer - What is Oral Cancer?

Oral cancer is cancer that occurs in the mouth and throat and can be caused by use of tobacco products, excessive alcohol use, and sun exposure or due to family history.Oral cancer  is usually treatable with the use of a dental laser .

Oral Cancer Symptoms

Oral cancer symptoms usually start with the tissues of the mouth and throat. They include:

• Patches of red or white bumps in or around the mouth or throat that do not go away or heal within a few weeks.
• Sores around the mouth that do not heal.
• Unexplained gum bleeding .
• Soreness or numbness around the ears or neck.
• Lumps or thickness around the lips or inside the mouth.
• Unexplained lumps in the neck.
• Difficulty swallowing.
• Loosening of teeth.
• Change in voice or chronic hoarseness.
• Difficulty wearing dentures or change in fit of dentures.

Oral Cancer Risks

If you have a family history of cancers of the throat or mouth, you are likely at risk for getting or having oral cancer. If a person has a family history of oral cancer and is also a tobacco user, they are placing themselves at even greater risk for getting oral cancer. It is important to note, however, that approximately 25% of people who get oral cancer have no risk factors at all for getting oral cancer.

Other risk factors include use of tobacco products, including chewing or smoking. Use of snuff or other dipping tobaccos places users at risk, particularly when combined with alcohol. A significant number of oral cancers appear when a person uses both tobacco and alcohol. Long-term smokers are at highest risk of oral cancer.

Another risk factor is drinking excessive amounts of alcohol or sun exposure. Use of sunscreen around the lips helps reduce the risk for oral cancer, as does wearing clothing that provides facial shade, such as hats with wide brims.

Oral Cancer Treatment

Oral cancer is often first diagnosed during a routine dental examination , which includes complete dental x-rays and may also include an examination using an endoscope to view the inside of the throat. This procedure can be done inside a dentist or doctor‚’s office under mild sedation.

Once a diagnosis is made, oral cancer treatment may include removal of tumors to determine if they are benign or malignant. Benign tumors can be removed in a dentist‚’s office using laser dentistry, which does not need sutures and can often be done minimal or no anesthesia.

Depending on the extent of the oral cancer, other adjunctive treatments can include chemotherapy or radiation treatment.

Rehabilitation

It is not uncommon for people who have been treated for oral cancer to decide to have reconstructive dental treatment , which may include dental implants or other cosmetic dentistry. The use of dental implants includes creating dental prosthetics that have the appearance and look of natural teeth. Additionally, veneers or whitening processes may be recommended by a cosmetic dentist to enhance a patient‚’s smile and appearance.

Summary

Oral cancer is a treatable illness and can be assisted by the skills of a cosmetic dentist to recreate a natural smile and appearance. Risk factors for oral cancer include family history, tobacco and alcohol use and sun exposure. Routine dental exams include screening for oral cancer.