Males over 40 Beware: Oral Cancer May Be Lurking Just around the Corner

Males over the age of 40 must consider getting oral cancer screening during their next visit to the dental office for routine checkups. The screenings are customized to detect the early signs of oral cancer and to provide treatment before they progress to an advanced stage.

Screening for oral cancer is extremely important because if detected early oral cancer can be successfully treated. Dental professionals are detecting approximately 84% of all oral cancer in their patient's mouths during routine dental checkups. Facilities like Union Ave Dental have different methods for detecting the early signs of this problem with the latest state-of-the-art technology.

When dentists perform oral cancer screening they will use tools to look for signs of discoloration or mouth sores. They will feel that issues around the mouth searching for lumps and abnormalities. If any abnormalities in the mouth are detected a sample of the same will be forwarded to the dental laboratory for further evaluation. 

How Can Men Understand Whether They Are at Risk For Oral Cancer

Generally, men over the age of 40 are at risk for oral cancer. The men could be using tobacco and alcohol excessively or even be affected by human papillomavirus. Factors like continuous exposure to sunlight and an unhealthy diet also contribute to the risks of oral cancer. Evidence is available to prove that people diagnosed with oral cancer are associated with one of the risks mentioned but it has also been noted that many people are being diagnosed with oral cancer without exhibiting any risk factors. Therefore, men without any risks of oral cancer will also benefit from the screening provided by dentists for maintaining your overall health in prime condition.

What Are the Symptoms of Oral Cancer

When dentists perform the screening for oral cancer they will be looking for the following symptoms:

·         Red or white patches in the mouth.

·         Continuously bleeding spots that don’t heal.

·         Lumps or hard spots in the mouth.

·         Numbness or pain when biting down on your teeth.

Preventing Oral Cancer and Treatment

The optimal way to prevent oral cancer is to undergo regular oral cancer screenings during routine dental checkups. During the dental exam, the dentist won’t be able to perform a diagnosis of whether oral cancer is affecting you. However, they may conduct a biopsy and send a sample of your tissue to a laboratory to have it confirmed if it is oral cancer. After your dentist receives the results from the laboratory with a positive confirmation the dentist can begin treating cancer during the initial stages. The objective of getting oral cancer screenings for good health is a preventive measure and is anyway performed by the dentist during biannual dental checkups. Therefore you are advised not to be concerned about the screening but only show up at your dentist’s office regularly for the checkups.