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Oral cancer is
most often diagnosed in people over the age of 40,
posing a serious health concern for older adults. Most
at risk are those who regularly smoke cigarettes and
drink alcohol. Only 50% percent of people who are
diagnosed with late stage cancer will be alive in five
years. However, if identified in its early stages, oral
cancer has an 80% to 90% cure rate.
The best method
of early detection is through routine oral examinations.
Delta Dental
recommends that people immediately visit a dentist or
physician if they exhibit any of the signs of oral
cancer:
- A sore, lump
or thick patch in the mouth, lip, or throat.
- A white or
red patch in the mouth.
- A sore that
bleeds easily or does not heal.
- A feeling
that something is caught in the throat.
- Difficulty
chewing, swallowing, or moving the jaw or tongue.
- Numbness in
the tongue or other areas of the mouth.
- Swelling of
the jaw that causes dentures to fit poorly or become
uncomfortable.
- A change in
the way the teeth fit together.
- Pain in one
ear without hearing loss.
"As people age
it becomes more and more important to maintain oral
health," explains Scott Navarro, D.D.S., dental director
of Delta Dental of New Jersey. "Routine dental visits
become increasingly important as people grow older to
prevent or treat gum disease, provide denture
maintenance, detect overall health problems, and offer
regular oral cancer screenings." |
