As highlighted in research studies carried out by the American Cancer Society, in 2020, more than 53,200 people will fall victim to oral cancer, and nearly 11,000 of them will die from complications arising from this cancer. 

When detected early, oral cancer has an extraordinary survival rate. This is one of the reasons that dental professionals encourage regular appointments, that way they can be immediately aware of any indications of oral cancer and the necessary treatments can be administered.

Dental Check-Ups 

During each routine check-up, your dental professional will conduct a thorough exam of your soft tissue, checking for any lumps or other abnormalities, and inspect your mouth for any indications of possible oral cancer.  

Symptoms That May Point to Oral Cancer

Symptoms of oral cancer include but are not limited to:

• Grey or white spots around and/or under your tongue.
• Grey or white spots near your throat and/or on the inside of your cheek.
• Lumps on your gums, lips, and/or the roof of your mouth.
• Abnormalities around the area of your neck and jawbone.
  

Monitoring for Oral Cancer

In between dental appointments, particularly if you are classified as a high-risk patient, such as someone with a family history of oral cancer, or who chews tobacco or smokes, you are able to conduct a self-examination to monitor for symptoms of oral cancer. This can be accomplished by merely using a small light to inspect the inside of your mouth and check for any of the previously mentioned signs. You can then use the tips of your fingers to feel around your neck and jaw for any unusual lumps. 

If you do find something that concerns you, you should schedule an appointment with your dental professional right away so that the abnormality can be professionally examined. 

By visiting your dentist regularly for oral check-ups and monitoring yourself in between your appointments, you can do a lot to maintain your oral and overall health and give yourself your best shot at catching oral cancer before it turns into a serious issue. 

At McBride Dental, we want to help you and your family do everything possible to have and preserve healthy teeth and gums. By scheduling regular appointments with your California family dentist and practicing the oral care techniques we teach you, your whole family will easily maintain teeth that are healthy, strong, and effective.

The San Marcos offices of Dr. Michael McBride are staffed with reputable, professional San Diego dentists that are ready to address any concerns you may have regarding common dental procedures, as well as preventative, cosmetic, or restorative dentistry. We also provide sedation dentistry treatments as an option for our patients with severe dental anxiety.

It is our job to help you and your family establish healthy dental habits to make sure that your teeth will always be there when you need them and your smile will always look great.

If you would like to schedule an appointment with a San Marcos dentist, please give us a call at (760) 471-1003 and speak with a trained member of our dental staff today.