Signs and Symptoms of Oral Cancer.
- Loose teeth
- Weight loss
- Ear and mouth pain
- Sore on the lip or in the mouth that does not heal
- Difficulty moving your tongue or jaw
- Difficulty swallowing, chewing or speaking
- A growth, lump, or reddish-white patch in your mouth
- Numbness of the lip, tongue, or other parts of the mouth
- Discomfort in your throat, feeling like something is caught in your throat and does not go away
The Importance of Oral Cancer Screenings.
Around 50,000 people each year get oral cancer in the United States, and it can kill around 11,000 people a year. Oral cancer screenings can detect early signs of oral cancer, which is extremely important since this condition can be successfully treated if caught on time. At Sage Dental, our dentists can administer a thorough exam to detect any oral abnormalities that may indicate cancerous growth. We utilize state-of-the-art technology, VELscope to give our patients a greater chance to detect and treat this deadly disease as early as possible. This technology uses blue light to detect early warning signs, pre-cancerous tissue, and early-stage cancer undetectable by the naked eye and white light.
Treatment
Surgery is often used to treat oral cancer in its early stages, depending on its location and how advanced it is. Another type of treatment used is radiation therapy which helps destroy cancer cells. Radiation therapy and chemotherapy may be given simultaneously if the cancer is not detected early. Chemotherapy is an anti-cancer drug that can be taken by mouth or injected. There is also another treatment option called targeted therapy, which can be effective for early and advanced stages of cancer. This treatment uses other drugs or substances to identify and attack cancer cells and interfere with their growth. Your doctor will refer you to a specialist who will assist with the treatment choice depending on your general health, where your mouth or throat cancer began, the size and type of the tumor, and whether cancer has spread.
The importance of good nutrition.
These treatments may make it difficult to eat, and they can cause poor appetite and weight loss. Your body needs proper vitamins, minerals, and calories to ensure a better healing process. Getting the advice of a nutritionist is recommended to create a food menu that will be gentle in your mouth and throat.
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