Oral cancer is a serious disease that can affect all parts of the mouth. If you suspect you have this condition, you should visit a general dentistry professional or doctor right away. Some people are more prone to getting the disease than others. There are also clues that should give you a good idea that you are on the verge of getting the disease or that you need treatment. Fortunately, if a doctor identifies it early enough, you can recover and enjoy your daily life without pain and discomfort.
Like all types of cancers, some habits or activities increase a person’s risk of getting the disease. It is helpful for people to be familiar with these, so they can make the necessary changes. Age can play a major role in contracting the disease. Older people in their 50s and 60s have the greatest risk of getting oral cancer. Smoking and drinking alcohol can bring on this type of cancer as well. People who spend a lot of time outdoors should be careful not to have too much sun exposure. Prolonged direct contact with ultraviolet light can make a person prone to getting the disease.
Oral cancer can attack any part of a patient’s mouth, including the cheeks, tongue, roof of the mouth, tonsils and gums. Red and white sores are common among oral cancer patients. These sores can remain in the mouth for weeks and can increase in size and intensify in color. Unlike other types of sores in the mouth, these do not easily go away.
Cancer usually brings pain to the patient, and cancer of the mouth is no exception. The pain can start in the jaw. It is often present while eating when it can hurt to chew or swallow. Even the tongue and neck can be painful. Swelling will often accompany the pain and irritation.
People may sometimes take too big of a bite and not chew it enough. This can make it hard to swallow and something may even get stuck in the throat. However, if a person has oral cancer, these sensations may persist all the time. There may not even be any food in the throat, but it could be a lump or tumor that is causing the feeling.
If you have any of these symptoms, it is critical to act quickly and not put off a visit to the dentist or doctor. The longer you wait, the greater the likelihood of more serious problems developing. Your dentist or doctor can identify whether you have the disease. From there, a treatment plan can map out what you can expect. Recovery is possible, no matter how large the tumor may be. Call your doctor today, so you can start to attack this disease and reduce the pain and discomfort you are feeling.
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