Experts recommend that everyone schedule an appointment with a dentist at least once every six months. You will be checked for oral cancer during your dental visit. Oral cancer is a condition that is becoming more common in the United States. In fact, it is estimated that there will be 42,000 new cases of oral cancer this year. It is also estimated that there will be 640,000 new oral cancer cases reported worldwide.
The survival rate for patients who are diagnosed in the early stages is nearly 90 percent. Unfortunately, most patients with oral cancer are diagnosed after the cancer has spread. The five year survival rate for oral cancer is only 43 percent. That is one of the reasons that regular dental checkups in the Newark area are extremely important. Dentists are often the first medical professionals to detect oral cancer.
You should make sure that you call and make an appointment with a general dentist in Florham Park, New Jersey if you notice any suspicious sores. Mouth sores are fairly common, and they are not always an indication of oral cancer. However, if you have a sore that lasts for more than two weeks, then it could be a sign of oral cancer. Red or white patches in the mouth, a lump in the neck and loose teeth are some of the other possible signs of oral cancer.
You should be cognizant of the fact that there are a number of things that can put you at risk for developing oral cancer. Two of those things are your age and sex. If you are a male who is over the age of 40, then your chances of developing oral cancer will be higher.
Smoking and excessive alcohol consumption also raise your risk of oral cancer. In fact, seventy-five percent of patients who have oral cancer either smoke or drink. Furthermore, the HPV virus is another risk factor for oral cancer.