{"id":1587,"date":"2015-11-15T06:53:47","date_gmt":"2015-11-15T06:53:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/mygreatsmile.com\/?p=1587"},"modified":"2025-03-27T05:00:28","modified_gmt":"2025-03-27T05:00:28","slug":"oral-cancerscary-but-very-preventable","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.mygreatsmile.com\/blog\/oral-cancerscary-but-very-preventable\/","title":{"rendered":"Oral Cancer\u2026Scary But Very Preventable"},"content":{"rendered":"

Just hearing the word \u201ccancer\u201d can be fear producing and something most of us don\u2019t like to talk about. A visit to the dentist can be additionally scary and can complicate matters surrounding the discovery of oral cancer.<\/p>\n

Approximately 37,000 Americans are diagnosed with oral cancer each year; just over half will be alive five years later. Oral cancer is one of the most deadly forms of cancer and its high death rate is primarily due to its late discovery. If caught early, oral cancer is highly treatable. Twice yearly dental exams and cleanings are vitally important in the early detection, prevention and treatment of oral cancer.<\/p>\n

\"oral<\/a>Oral cancer is the growth of abnormal cells on any part of the mouth, lips, tongue, or gums. It can also occur on the lining of the cheeks and the roof of the mouth. Most oral cancers begin in the lining of the mouth or lips, which is made up of thin squamous cells.<\/p>\n

Causes of oral cancer include:<\/strong>
\n\u2022 Tobacco use, in all forms, accounts for 90% of all oral cancers
\n\u2022 Alcohol use
\n\u2022 Marijuana use
\n\u2022 Exposure to UV light from the sun or the use of tanning beds
\n\u2022 Having some types of human papillomavirus (HPV)<\/p>\n

Symptoms of oral cancer:<\/strong>
\n\u2022 Persistent tenderness, pain or numbness anywhere on your lips or in your mouth
\n\u2022 A change in your voice
\n\u2022 An earache that doesn\u2019t go away
\n\u2022 Difficulty swallowing, chewing or moving your jaw or tongue
\n\u2022 Feeling like something is caught in your throat
\n\u2022 Red or white spotty patches on your tongue or in your mouth
\n\u2022 A lump or thickening in your cheek or neck
\n\u2022 A thick, rough spot or a small area in your mouth
\n\u2022 An irritation on your mouth or lip that bleeds easily and doesn’t heal<\/p>\n

It is important to visit your dentist regularly to prevent oral cancer or catch it early.
\nAn oral cancer screening<\/a> with Dr. Peck includes an examination of your mouth and neck and possibly x-rays. Light-activated instruments are also available to assist in an early diagnosis.<\/p>\n

Call Taylor Street Dental, today, for a for consultation: (413) 241-3264.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Just hearing the word \u201ccancer\u201d can be fear producing and something most of us don\u2019t like to talk about. A visit to the dentist can be additionally scary and can complicate matters surrounding the discovery…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":14,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[51],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1587","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-oral-cancer"],"yoast_head":"\nOral Cancer | Taylor Street Dental Associates<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Oral cancer is the growth of abnormal cells on any part of the mouth, lips, tongue, or gums. 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