Tips To Prevent Oral Cancer

209 NYC Dental is the first line of defense in preventing oral cancer in our patients. Cancer is a scary word, and no one wants to be afflicted with this malady. Prevention of oral cancer and its detection at an early stage is of paramount importance to our patients and our doctors. The good news is that if oral cancer is detected early, the cure rate over three years is between 80%-90%.

As dentists when we speak of oral cancer we are looking at two aspects of the oral cavity:

1. Mouth: Consists of lips, cheeks, tongue, and gums. 
2. Oropharynx: Consists of soft palate, tonsils, throat, and the floor of the mouth.

Current Facts About Oral Cancer

1. Men are 2x more likely to contract oral cancer than women. 
2. The incidence of oral cancer has been increasing in people under fifty years of age with a significant increase observed in twenty to thirty-year-olds. 
3. If people survive their first encounter with oral cancer, they have an increased risk of developing second cancer.
4. Biopsies are the only proper way to diagnose cancer. 
5. There are many different causes of oral cancer. 
6. Patients taking immunosuppressive medications (i.e. organ transplant) are at increased risk of developing the disease

Oral Cancer Symptoms

• Lip or mouth sore that doesn’t heal
• White or red patch that doesn’t fade away
• Loose teeth
• Growth or lump on the inside of the mouth
• Mouth pain
• Ear pain
• Difficulty or pain upon swallowing
• Painful or loose dentures

Risks That Could Lead To Oral Cancer

1. Heavy tobacco use
2. Heavy alcohol consumption (more than two glasses per day)
3. Excessive sun exposure
4. Acquiring sexually transmitted diseases like Human Papillomavirus (HPV)
5. Weakened immune system

Oral Cancer Prevention Tips

1. Avoid tobacco completely
2. Avoid heavy alcohol consumption
3. Avoid excessive exposure to the sun 
4. Wear sunscreen that blocks out ultraviolet rays (A and B)
5. Wear a wide-brimmed hat
6. Exercise
7. Eat a proper diet: 
8. Use condoms and dental dams to prevent HPV
9. Get vaccinated for HPV
10. Make sure that dentures fit properly and do not cause sores.
11. Go to the dentist once every six months for dental checkup and oral cancer screening. 
12. Maintain proper oral home care:

• Brush teeth twice a day for two minutes with small soft bristle brush
• Floss teeth once every 24 hours before bedtime
• Use fluoride toothpaste with low abrasion level
• If you  use mouthwash make sure that it is alcohol free.

Make an Appointment with 209 NYC Dental

Oral cancer can be a serious disease. The key is to prevent it. The other part of the puzzle is to be screened twice yearly so that if there is a change it’s diagnosed at a very early stage.  Early stage treatment of oral cancer is highly successful. Our dentists at 209 NYC Dental are highly trained doctors, specializing in the mouth and its diseases. We care about your teeth and even more about you. Please don’t hesitate to make an appointment and reaffirm your good oral health. Call us today at 212-355-2290.