What is Oral Cancer?

Oral cancer, also known as mouth cancer or oral cavity cancer, refers to a type of cancer that develops in the tissues of the oral cavity, which includes the lips, tongue, gums, inner lining of the cheeks, floor of the mouth, and roof of the mouth. It is one of several types of head and neck cancers.

Due to few people not having regularly visit their dentists, or even considering a cancer screening, very few people get diagnosed in the early stages. Early detection of oral cancer is crucial for successful treatment and improved outcomes.

Industry Facts About Oral Cancer:

• Close to 54,000 Americans will be diagnosed with oral or oropharyngeal cancer this year according to The Oral Cancer Foundation 
• Oral cancer is responsible for over 200,000 deaths annually.
• One death every hour of every day is due to oral cancer.
• The CDC recommends that all patients over the age of 17 be screening annually for oral cancer.

Oral Cancer Symptoms:

Knowing the signs of oral cancer can help you identify it more quickly. Some of the most common symptoms of oral cancer may include:

• Mouth sores that do not heal
• Pain or difficulty when swallowing or chewing
• Persistent sore throat, ear pain, or hoarseness
• Unexpected weight loss
• White or red patches inside your mouth (specifically on the gums or tongue)
• Growth or lumps inside your mouth or throat
• Loose teeth that are not attributed to another dental issue

If you experience any of these signs, do not wait until your next scheduled appointment. Call Denta

l Faith promptly so that we can perform an oral cancer exam.

Who Needs an Oral Cancer Evaluation Exam?

Anyone can benefit from a cancer screening. However, people with an increased risk of getting oral cancer are recommended to get screening. Some key risk factors for oral cancer are:

• Smokers
• A previous cancer diagnosis
• Genetics
• Age – people over 40 are more at risk
• Heavy alcohol use
• Prologued sun exposure
• STI/STD patients (specifically HPV)
• Gender (men are more susceptible than women)
• An unhealthy diet

Even if you don’t have any of the signs listed above, oral cancer screenings are still important in maintaining your overall health and at Dental Faith, we recommend you consider a simple cancer screening at your next appointment.

What we do at Dental Faith

At Dental Faith, we have the newest, state of the art technology to detect early signs of oral cancer called Identafi.

The Identafi system is a tool used for oral cancer screening that combines three different wavelengths of light to enhance the visualization of abnormal tissues in the oral cavity. Identafi is a portable, hand-held tool that we use to examine your mouth. The screening process using Identafi typically involves the following steps:

• Preparation
• Visual Inspection
• Tissue Swabbing
• Identafi Examination
• Lab Analysis
• Interpretation
• Follow-up

Through our simple screening, if oral cancer is suspected, further diagnostic tests, such as a biopsy, may be performed to confirm the diagnosis. We recommend regular dental check-ups and oral cancer screenings can help in identifying any potential abnormalities in the oral cavity.

Choose Dental Faith, Dentist Nashville, for your Oral Cancer Screening

Remember that oral cancer will not go away on its own, but it is relatively easy to treat if you catch it early enough. That is why we recommend you ask us at your next dental visit.

If you leave Dental Faith a Google or Facebook review, we will give you a complementary oral screening today! Take a screenshot of your review and bring show our team.

Take care of your health with Dental Faith. Contact us at 615-285-3949!