April is oral cancer awareness month. It is estimated that over 50,000 Americans are diagnosed with oral cancer every year and dentist Dr. Natasha Radosavljevic wants to help spread awareness of this serious oral health concern. Early diagnosis is essential for fighting oral cancer. At our Clearwater, FL dentist office Dr. Rado provides comprehensive oral cancer screenings for all patients during their routine dental check ups.
Oral Cancer Screenings
Stay alert of any changes you may notice in your mouth, particularly on the soft tissues of the mouth like your tongue, cheeks or throat.
Look for signs of:
- Red or white patches
- Sores
- Bleeding
- Lumps
- Chronic sore throat or hoarseness
- Difficulty swallowing
- Thick patches
While these symptoms could be signs of many oral health concerns, they could be indicators of oral cancer. Be sure to check all sides of your tongue and deep in your cheeks by your tooth line. If symptoms do not disappear with in two weeks, be sure to schedule an appointment with Dr. Rado. Self exams are useful to spot symptoms, but it is important to know that it is easy to miss signs of oral cancer in your own mouth as they may be difficult for you to see. Biannual oral exams from your dentist can help spot oral cancer early. Dr. Rado has the training and experience to spot oral cancer. Twice yearly oral health exams can help diagnosis oral cancer early for a chance at conservative and effective treatment.
Oral Cancer Risk Factors
It is important to know that men are 2 times more likely to develop oral cancer than women, and, less likely to visit the dentist. While there is the potential for anyone to develop oral cancer, certain lifestyle and genetic factors could put you at a higher risk. Knowing your risk factors can help motivate you to get biannual oral health exams.
You are at a higher risk of oral cancer if you:
- Smoke
- Drink alcohol heavily
- Have a poor diet
- Are Male
- Exposed to HPV
- Diagnosed with HPV
Schedule A Visit
Schedule a visit with Dr. Radosavljevic. Early diagnosis of dental health concerns can allow for conservative dental treatments and could be life-saving. Regular visits to our Clearwater dentist office for professional cleanings and oral health exams can help you enjoy a lifetime of oral health.