>Oral cancer can strike anyone, and a dentist is your first line of defense in early prevention.  It is difficult to see the inside of your own mouth, which makes it hard to detect signs of cancer until other symptoms start to manifest.  By having your teeth cleaned and examined twice a year, Dr. Bodnar can look for signs of oral cancer and catch any abnormalities quickly so that you can get the treatment you need to recover and live a long and healthy life.

Men are at a greater risk than women of developing oral cancer and should not forgo their regular dental exams.  Chewing tobacco is the single biggest risk factor because it increases the likelihood of developing oral cancer by sixty times.  This is a significant risk and people using smokeless tobacco products should consider getting the help they need to quit.  Smoking cigarettes and drinking too much alcohol also increase the risk by six times each, significant but much less so than using a smokeless tobacco product.

During dental exams the dentist will look for signs or symptoms that are indicative of oral cancer or other oral health issues.  Here is what you need to know:

As an adult, your teeth should not move out of place unless they are forced to.  If your teeth start to move and don’t fit together properly or your dentures are no longer fitting like they used to, it could be a growth that is pushing your teeth.  If you have noticed any of these symptoms, let the dentist know so that they can try to identify the root cause.

Lumps and bumps may be signs that something is wrong.  There are several types of strange bumps that can be signs of cancer.  Red velvety ones, hard lumps, or red and white bumps are all known to be signs of oral cancer.  If they are identified during a routine dental exam, further testing will be needed to determine if they are harmful or not.  This typically requires a biopsy to be completed by an oral surgeon with testing for cancerous cells done in a lab.  If the cells are deemed cancerous, you will be referred to an oncologist.

Bleeding gums are cause for concern but are not necessarily cancerous.  Gum disease can also cause gums to become inflamed and to bleed.  The dentist needs to determine what is causing the bleeding so that it can be treated. Gum disease can cause teeth to fall out and is a serious but treatable oral health condition.  If no gum disease is found there could be oral cancer concerns.

Rough patches don’t belong in your mouth.  If you feel one or several rough patches in your mouth after brushing your teeth, this could be a symptom. Wait a couple of days and see if they go away. Sometimes certain foods can cause your gums or cheeks to become irritated.  If the rough patches don’t go away, call and schedule an appointment for a dental exam.

Oral cancer can be treated but like all cancers early prevention and treatment is the key to beating the disease.  Make sure to visit the dentist twice a year so that Dr. Bodnar can identify any health concerns that you may have and ensure that you receive the treatment you need if something looks out of place.