Estetica

Mouth cancer is a dangerous abnormal growth that can affect any part of the mouth.

What are the signs of mouth cancer?

Mouth cancer can appear as:

• an, often painless, ulcer that fails to clear up after about two weeks
• a growth or swelling which has been present for more than about two weeks
• sometimes as a white or red patch in the mouth

Most things like this will not turn out to be cancer. but if you have these signs they must be investigated by going to your dentist immediately.

Am l at risk from mouth cancer?

▪ It you use tobacco (smoked or chewed) and drink too much alcohol. you will greatly increase your risk of getting mouth cancer. If you do both together. your chances of getting it are even greater still.

• Prolonged exposure to sunlight can increase your risk oi lip and skin cancer,
• The chances of getting mouth cancer are greater for people aged over 40 years. but younger people can get it too.
• You are more at risk of cancer if you don`t eat a healthy diet.

How can mouth cancer be detected?

Your dentist can spot mouth cancer early. lt it is detected early the chances of a cure are very good. At the moment around half of the 4.000 people diagnosed with mouth cancer every year in the UK die of it because it is discovered too late.

What will my dentist do?

• You should expect your dentist to:
• look at your lace and neck
• feel under your jaw and down your neck
• examine the inside ol your mouth with a small mirror. looking at your lips. cheeks, tongue, the roof of your mouth and your throat. Your dentist can see parts of your mouth that you cant easily see or ieel yourself. Your dentist may notice something in your mouth that needs to be monitored or needs to be seen by a specialist.

What are the benetits of being regularly checked?

Regular examinations mean that your dentist can spot problems early – and these include mouth cancer.

How can I prevent mouth cancer?

By following a healthy diet. with tive to seven portions of fruit and vegetables each day, you can help to prevent mouth

cancer as well as many other cancers and diseases. (A portion is roughly a handful.)

Do not use tobacco at all and drink moderately – that is, keep your weekly intake to below 14 units for women and 21 units for men.

(One unit is roughly equal to a single measure ot spirit, a half pint of beer or a small glass of wine.) -

Estetica Screening

Today, over 80% of people that die from cancer would still be alive if they had gotten adequate screening. Therefore, your dentist can play a key role in helping detect oral cancers. In most cases, checking for oral cancer can be done during routine yearly dental exams. These tests are painless and inexpensive.

When you visit your dentist each year, he/she should look and feel for signs of tumours in the soft tissue and gums inside your mouth. You may also be required to have X-rays done every few years in order to make sure that bone tumours are not developing. If you already have other types of cancer, you may need to have X-rays more often.

Strangely enough, many people that have cancer actually suspect it years before they go for screening. Unfortunately, fear, and misunderstanding about cancer therapies prevents people from getting treatment at a time when it will do the most good. Typically, when a cancer is caught in the earliest stages, it may not even be necessary to have extensive chemotherapy and radiation. In particular, when it come to oral cancer, a simple removal of small tumours may ensure a full lifetime without any further resurgences.

There is no question that early screening for cancer, as well as taking preventive measures can save your life. If you smoke, or drink alcohol, you should make having an oral cancer exam your top priority. This will also be an ideal time to ask your dentist about preventaive measures. In many cases, your dentist may be able to give you some advice about vitamins or supplements that can help reduce your risk of developing cancer. He/She can also give you plenty of advice about dental products to stay away from, as well as how to take care of your mouth and teeth in the best way possible.