Ever
wondered what
Dr. Saller is
actually doing
when he comes in
to examine your
mouth after your
hygienist cleans
your teeth? Or
maybe you've
asked yourself
why is he making
me stick out my
tongue and say,
"aahh?" Not
only is Dr.
Saller looking
for any dental
problems or
periodontal
issues, he is
also performing
an oral cancer
exam.
Seventy-five
percent of all
head and neck
cancers begin in
the oral
cavity. In the
United States,
there are over
34,000 cases per
year of squamous
cell carcinoma
of the oral
cavity and
pharynx. Of the
34,000 cases,
approximately
8,000 deaths
occur due to
this type of
cancer. In
those few
minutes, the
doctor can
examine your
mouth and neck
to detect any
abnormalities at
an early and
curable stage.
This is why it
is so important
to see Dr.
Saller regularly
and not miss
appointments.
According to the
American Cancer
Society,
possible signs
and symptoms of
these cancers
can include:
- a sore
in the mouth
that does
not heal
- pain in
the mouth
that does
not go away
- a
persistent
lump or
thickening
of the cheek
- a
persistent
white or red
patch on the
gums,
tongue,
tonsils or
lining of
the mouth
- a sore
throat or
feeling that
something is
caught in
the throat
that doesn't
go away
- trouble
chewing or
swallowing
- trouble
moving the
jaw or
tongue
- numbness
of the
tongue or
other area
of the mouth
- swelling
of the jaw
that causes
dentures to
fit poorly
or become
uncomfortable
-
loosening of
the teeth or
pain around
the teeth or
jaw
- voice
changes
- lump or
mass in the
neck
- weight
loss
-
persistent
bad breath
It is important
to note that
many of these
signs and
symptoms are
caused by benign
problems, but if
you have any of
these signs or
symptoms for
more than two
weeks, it is
recommended that
you call your
doctor or
dentist. The
earlier
detection, the
better.
There are risk
factors to be
aware of when it
comes to oral
and
oralpharyngeal
cancers, some of
which, you may
be able to
prevent. The
American Cancer
Society includes
these:
- Tobacco
Use
- Alcohol
Use
- Gender
(about twice
as common in
men as in
women)
-
Ultraviolet
Light (risk
for lip
cancer)
- Poor
Nutrition
- Human
Papilloma
Virus
Infection
- Immune
System
Depression
- Lichen
Planus
(disease
that affects
the skin and
can
sometimes
affect the
inside
lining of
the mouth)
The good news is
that there are
ways to prevent
these cancers.
The best way to
do this is avoid
tobacco and
alcohol use.
These are the
most important
risk factors.
The next best
way to prevent
oral and
oralpharyngeal
cancer is to
have regular
dental
check-ups. The
oral cancer
screening is a
routine part of
the dental
examination.
Dr. Saller will
carefully
examine your
mouth, tongue,
tonsils and
neck. During
the screening,
Dr. Saller
looks, listens
and feels for
any
abnormalities,
asymmetry,
ulcerations,
oral spots or
sores. If he
feels that there
is cause for
concern, he may
treat the area
and bring you
back for
re-examination
or he may refer
you to the
appropriate
physician.
Knowing the
signs and
symptoms, the
risk factors and
keeping up with
your dental
appointments are
all steps toward
preventing oral
and
oralpharyngeal
cancers. If you
would like to
learn more about
this topic,
please visit the
American Cancer
Society webpage
at
www.cancer.org.
