Symptoms and Treatment of Oral Cancer

Oral cancer is a serious disease of the mouth which, if left untreated, can lead to severe illness and even death. Most oral cancers are spotted first by dentists during routine exams, so our Los Angeles cosmetic dentist wants you to understand the dangers of oral cancer, what causes it, and what to do about it.

During a routine dental exam, a dentist may notice a cluster of cells or otherwise suspicious-looking spot in the mouth, on the tongue, or on the lips. This may be a sign of oral cancer. The dentist will often take a biopsy of the suspicious region and send it into a special laboratory for cancer screening. If the test comes back positive for cancer, the patient will be referred to an oncologist, or a doctor who specializes in treating cancer.

While many oral cancers are spotted during a dental cleaning, some patients also find spots in their mouths themselves. If you have any questions about a spot or wound which will not heal inside the mouth, be sure to talk to our dentist in Los Angeles immediately. Don’t wait—this can often make the problem much worse. Most oral cancers are highly treatable if caught early.

Although no one knows for sure what causes any cancer, it is clear that there is a link between tobacco use and oral cancer. Smoking and chewing tobacco are all suspected contributors to many oral cancers, along with family history and the presence of advanced gum disease. Recent studies have also linked heavy alcohol consumption with oral cancer.

Talk to our dentist today if you have any suspicious spots or lesions in your mouth, to rule out the possibility of oral cancer.

Source: Dentist Los Angeles

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