Dental Articles - Edmonton

Cancer does sound daunting to most of us, but if detected early on, people can survive the disease. According to the Canadian Cancer Society, in Canada, the 5-year net survival for oral cancer is 63%. This simply means that 63% people diagnosed with oral cancer will survive for at least five years. And if the signs and symptoms of oral cancer are detected early on, then the chances for successful treatment are high. To get your oral cancer screening in Edmonton, all you have to do is make regular visits to your local dentist. He will not only enlighten you about healthy habits to keep the illness at bay but also keep a tab on your overall dental health.

Early Signs and Symptoms

Here are some of the warning signs your dentist might look for during oral cancer screening in Edmonton:

• A red or white spot on the roof of your mouth.
• A sore, a rough spot, or an eroded area that does not heal
• A lump or a roughened area in your mouth
• Difficulty chewing, swallowing or speaking
• Pain, numbness or tenderness in any part of your mouth.

Even if you come across any one of these symptoms, make sure you visit your nearest dental clinic.

The Potential Risk Factors

Even if you don’t go for oral cancer screening in Edmonton, regular visits to your dentist will enlighten you about the unhealthy habits that might lead to oral cancer. Some of the harmful practices that contribute to cancer include heavy smoking and drinking. A person who drinks more than 2 glasses of alcohol every day is at risk of developing cancer at some point in time. Other factors include smokeless consumption of tobacco, sexually transmitted human papillomavirus (HPV), incessant exposure of lips to the sun, a diet low in fruits and a weakened immune system.

How Can your Dentist Help?

Your dentist will take you through a painless oral cancer screening procedure. He will carefully take a look at your oral tissues and overall dental health. This involves inspecting your face, neck, lips, the roof and floor of your mouth, your gums, and the back of your throat. He will try and identify if the sores and spots in your mouth are cancerous. And, if at all any of the symptoms are suggestive of cancer, then he will ask you to come for another visit after a few weeks to re-examine the areas of concern. If things indicate chances of cancer, then you will be sent for a biopsy.

Oral Cancer Screening in Edmonton

As mentioned above, prevention and/or early detection of symptoms are key to combating oral cancer effectively. And regularly visiting your dentist is the first step to keeping oral cancer at bay. So, connect with us to book your appointment at the earliest.

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Dentist Edmonton