April is National Oral Cancer Awareness Month. At Worthington Hills Dental, we understand the importance of spreading oral cancer awareness and educating patients about this disease.
The number of oral cancer cases continues to rise every year. Approximately 48,250 people in the United States will be diagnosed with oral cancer this year alone. Of that 48,250 people, just over half will still be alive in five years.
Regular visits to the dentist and annual screenings are essential in combating this disease. When diagnosed and treated at an early stage, oral cancer has an extremely high survival rate. It is important to familiarize yourself with the indicators of oral cancer so you can be proactive about this disease. These indicators are:
Early Indicators
- Red and/or white discolorations of the soft tissues of the mouth.
- Any sore which does not heal within 14 days.
- Hoarseness which lasts for a prolonged period of time.
Advanced Indicators
- A sensation that something is stuck in you throat.
- Numbness in the oral region.
- Difficulty in moving the jaw or tongue.
- Difficulty in swallowing.
- Ear pain which occurs on one side only.
- A sore under a denture, which even after adjustment of the denture, still does not heal.
- A lump or thickening which develops in the mouth or on the neck.
Who should get screened? Everyone. Oral cancer can often be caught early, even as a pre-cancer. Thorough oral cancer screenings are an effective means of finding oral cancer in it’s highly curable stages, and should be incorporated into your dental check-ups.
Worthington Hills Dental has partnered with The Oral Cancer Foundation in honor of Oral Cancer Awareness Month. We will be offering FREE oral cancer screenings by appointment throughout April to help raise awareness about the importance of annual screenings for adults. Call Worthington Hills Dental at (614) 436-0316 to make an appointment for your complimentary oral cancer screening.
