Tag: oral cancer symptoms

5 dental symptoms not to ignore farmers branch champion dental clinic best dentist dallas fortworth texas

Which 5 Dental Symptoms You Should Never Ignore?

Posted on | by mel | Leave a Comment on Which 5 Dental Symptoms You Should Never Ignore?

It could cost you more than you think

5 dental symptoms not to ignore farmers branch champion dental clinic best dentist dallas fortworth texas

When you have dental symptoms that are not normal, it indicates that there is a potential problem. The problem may not be something to get concerned about, but, on the other hand, it could indicate a major threat to your health. It is not unusual for sores and other problems to occur in the mouth, but some indicate the need to see a dentist soon. 

 

Oral Cancer

Every year, oral cancer continues to rise. This year, more than 51,000 people will be diagnosed with it. This cancer typically spreads fast, making the need for early detection very important. 

Oral cancer is often without any pain in the early stages. This makes it hard for someone to know that they have it unless they are watching for symptoms, but a dentist can better detect them. The symptoms may also occur in the throat and may be very difficult to see. 

Oral cancer symptoms may include red or white patches in the mouth or lumps in the neck or throat area. Other sores may also become cancerous. Any sore that has not healed within two weeks should be seen by a dentist. A dentist is trained to recognize cancer and other diseases, and can also take initial biopsies. 

 

Pain in a Tooth

When you have strong pain in a tooth, it is time to see a dentist. Most likely, you already have made an appointment because the pain is almost unbearable and you want relief. If the tooth really hurts, you may also have inflamed gums and pus at the gum line. This could be an abscessed tooth.

An abscessed tooth is a serious problem. The inflammation can easily spread, especially if it is in your upper jaw, into your face and even your brain. If this happens, it could be fatal. Most likely, it will mean that a root canal is needed. 

 

Loose Teeth

If one or more of your teeth have become loose lately, you need to see a dentist quickly. This is a symptom of advanced periodontitis, but other things can cause it as well. Gum disease is often nearly painless until it reaches the advanced stages, and you will most likely experience pain when you try to bite down on those loose teeth. 

Bleeding gums are another symptom of gum disease. You will also likely have inflamed gums and pus along the gum line. Your gums will also have started receding, and you will likely have chronic bad breath. 

Periodontitis is caused by an immune reaction to bacteria invading your gums. The immune reaction becomes an autoimmune reaction and it starts attacking your gums, the ligaments that support your teeth, and your jawbone. 

Once your teeth become loose, it is certainly time to visit your dentist. Special gum disease treatment is needed to remove the bacteria. The longer you wait, the greater the damage. In order to remove the bacteria and inflammation, the dentist will need to give you antibiotics and may need to perform a non-surgical procedure called scaling and root planing – which removes the bacteria from the pockets that have formed on your gums. 

Surgical procedures may also be needed to replace missing gum tissue. In order to replace missing teeth, bone and gum grafts may be necessary. 

 

Dry Mouth

Having a dry mouth may not seem much like one of the dental problems you should watch for, but it really is. This problem can be serious if you are concerned about keeping your teeth looking good. 

Your saliva helps keep the bacteria and acid in your mouth under control. Whenever some of the bacteria come in contact with sugar, it produces acid. The acid is what causes cavities. Without enough saliva, there is more bacteria and acid in your mouth, which leads to developing sensitive teeth and cavities sooner. It will also help to promote gum disease.

Staying hydrated will help you produce more saliva, and so will chewing sugarless gum. Stay away from drinks that are considered diuretics, which include coffee, tea, alcohol, and more. Since some medications can also cause it, you may need to talk to your doctor about changing medicines.

 

Tooth Sensitivity

When a tooth becomes sensitive, it is because the enamel has become thin. Because of the thin enamel, the food particles, spices, and hot or cold temperatures can penetrate it and get to the nerve inside the tooth. This causes pain. 

The pain is an indication that a cavity is on the way. It already needs to be repaired. In some cases, tooth sensitivity may result from some dental treatments, but it will usually go away after a few days. 

 

If you have any of the above dental symptoms, you can get dental treatment for all of them from Champion Dental Clinic, Farmers Branch, TX. We regularly treats dental problems ranging from oral cancer to periodontitis – and much more. 

steps to reduce oral cancer risk dfw tx

What Are the Ways to Cut Your Oral Cancer Risk?

Posted on | by mel | Leave a Comment on What Are the Ways to Cut Your Oral Cancer Risk?

Simple Steps Can Reduce Your Risk of Mouth Cancer

steps to reduce oral cancer risk dfw tx

Most of the cases of oral cancer can be prevented. Once you get oral cancer, it is often only discovered once it has already reached the advanced stages. This makes it all the more worthwhile to try and prevent it from occurring in the first place. The prevention of oral cancer is especially important if you already have a number of risk factors. 

 

The Statistics

The Oral Cancer Foundation states that almost 50,000 new cases of oral cancer will be discovered this year. In five years, only about half that many will still be alive. This is a higher death rate than for other types of cancer. This type of cancer was also usually only found in people who were 40 or older, but now more young people are developing it. 

The way that oral cancers are most frequently discovered is through a doctor or dentist feeling the lymph nodes in the neck and discovering that they are swollen. This means that cancer has already metastasized and is spreading. 

 

The Causes of Oral Cancer

The primary cause of many types of cancer, including oral cancer, is tobacco. This includes smoking and smokeless varieties. E-cig devices are also included, not for the tobacco, but because of the nicotine, which is a tobacco product. 

Smokeless tobacco is often sold as being healthier than cigarettes, cigars, or pipes. This may be true in the case of lung cancer, but the rise in mouth cancer cases, and other types of cancer, and periodontal disease, still declares plainly that it is not safe. There is also a possibility that it is linked to heart disease. 

Another cause of mouth cancer that is occurring more frequently is HPV. This STD in the mouth and throat is picked up by engaging in oral sex. Although HPV is not the actual cause, it does help to trigger the process that develops the mouth cancer. 

 

Oral Cancer Symptoms

It is possible that some of the oral cancer symptoms may be perceived to be something else. Some of them may even seem unrelated, but the things you want to look for include: 

  • Tongue pain
  • A sore throat
  • Difficulty chewing or swallowing
  • Pain the jaw or stiffness
  • A sore that bleeds or does not heal
  • Loose teeth or dentures that no longer fit right.

 

Mouth Cancer Prevention

Your risk of getting oral cancer can be reduced, although not totally eliminated. There is no absolute guarantee, but you can minimize it. You can work toward the prevention of oral cancer by doing several things: 

  • Quit smoking – This is the greatest risk. Those who smoke are most likely to get many types of cancer, including head and neck cancer, lung cancer, bladder cancer, and more. It also promotes periodontal disease. One in five deaths in the U.S. is caused by smoking. 
  • Reduce the alcohol – Alcohol is classified as a carcinogen. When drinking heavily, it is related to several types of cancer. Moderate drinking will reduce the risk, which is considered to be two drinks average per day for men, and one drink a day average for women. 
  • Eat healthy – Eating more fruits and vegetables, and fiber, along with less red meat, will strengthen your immune system to be able to help fight against cancer. 
  • Lose weight – Being overweight, or obese, helps promote cancer. Establish a regular exercise program, with at least 150 minutes per week, and you can reduce this risk factor. 
  • Spend less time in the sun – The sun’s rays can lead to lip cancer if they are exposed to them for long periods. Wear a hat, and reduce your time in the sun. 
  • Genetics – Some families have a gene that may make them more prone to developing oral cancer. While you cannot change the gene, you can be more watchful to try and catch it early. 
  • Human papillomavirus (HPV) – There are many forms of HPV, but one form in particular – HPV16 – is known to lead to the development of cancer. Your risk of an HPV caused oral cancer can be reduced by obtaining an HPV vaccination, and by limiting having oral sex with one person who is not having sex with other people. 

 

When to See a Dentist

Regular dental checkups can often lead to the discovery of oral cancer. The thing to look for is when one or more of the mouth cancer symptoms last more than two weeks. If you see these symptoms, make an appointment with your dentist for an oral cancer screening. During the checkup, the dentist will look for other possible causes. If a problem is discovered, a biopsy may need to be taken.

In addition to working on your own program for the prevention of oral cancer, you can get oral cancer screening from Champion Dental clinic, Farmers Branch, Texas by calling our office today at (214) 747-0763.