Blog Archives

Oral and Throat Cancer

4/24/2019

What You Should Know

Cancer can develop in or around the mouth or in the throat. Cancer that develops on the lips, in the front of the mouth or tongue, under the tongue, on the insides of the cheeks is called oral cancer. Cancer in the back of the mouth, including the throat, the back part of the tongue, the soft part of the roof of the mouth, and the tonsils, is called oropharyngeal cancer.

Chances of survival from head and neck cancers are good if they are treated before they spread to other parts of the body. Two keys to helping you avoid the disease or spot it early are knowing what puts you at risk and recognizing the signs and symptoms of these cancers.

With bubble gum, we are blowing bubbles for those who can't during the month of April. Enter our contest to win a Bluetooth Oral-B Toothbrush by posting a video of yourself to Facebook or Instagram using the hashtag #LDGbubblechallenge. Last day to enter is April 30th! Drawing will be on May 1st

What Puts You At Risk?

Some people are at higher risk of developing oral and oropharyngeal cancers than others. For example, men develop these cancers more often than women. They also are more common after the age 65 years.

Some behaviors can increase the risk, such as tobacco use and heavy alcohol use (more than 4 drinks per day).

People who do both—drink heavily and use tobacco—significantly increase the risk of developing these cancers.

There are other risks specific to certain types of cancer. Spending a lot of time in the sun increases the risk of developing lip cancer, for example. And the human papilloma virus (HPV) has been associated with oropharyngeal cancer. Children as young as preteens can get HPV, but cancer may not develop until years later, as late as the mid-50s. Because HPV-associated cancers are preventable, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that children as young as 9 years old get vaccinated against HPV. Talk to your dentist or physician about whether the vaccine is right for you or your child.

What To Watch For

You know your body and better than anyone else does. If you notice any of these signs, talk to your dentist or physician:

A sore on the lips or in the mouth that does not heal;
Red or white patches in the mouth that don’t go away;
Pain, tenderness, or numbness, on the lips or in the mouth;
A lump, thickening, or swelling in or around the mouth or throat;
A rough or crusty or eroded area on the lips;
Difficulty chewing, swallowing, speaking, or moving the jaw or tongue;
A change in the way your teeth fit together when you close your mouth or the way your dentures fit;
A cough or sore throat that won’t go away;
Earaches;
Hoarseness or other changes in your voice;
Trouble opening your mouth fully.

During the month of April, the Team at Ligocki Dental Group performs free oral cancer screenings with the VELscope. The VELscope helps detects any abnormalities in the skin tissue.

Conclusion

Oral and oropharyngeal cancer is easiest to beat if it is treated early. Watch for any signs, that could signal a problem. Avoid behaviors that can increase the risk of developing these cancers. If you are between 9 and 26 years old (or if recommended for you when older), ask your dentist or physician about getting vaccinated against HPV. And see your dentist regularly, so he or she can help look for anything unusual.

Article Provided From

Oral and Throat Cancer. (2019). JADA, 150(4), 324. Retrieved April 24, 2019.

Yours for a healthy, complete body and smile,

The Team at Ligocki Dental Group

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Speak Up For Your Mouth! Let's Put An End To Oral Cancer!

4/2/2019

1 Comment

Hello!

When it comes to oral cancer, silence can be deadly. Like many Americans, you may be unaware of how serious this disease is; it has been estimated that over 50,000 people in the United States will be diagnosed with oral cancer this year.

The victims of oral cancer are not just smokers and tobacco users! Though these habits remain major risk factors, the largest percentage of oral cancer patients are young, healthy, nonsmoking individuals that are connected to the HPV virus. We cannot stop the spread of the virus, so the best chance we have for saving lives is through early detection and public awareness.

When oral cancer is caught early, the survival rate is 83%. And with the VELscope Vx oral health exam is a simple, 2 minute, screening procedure that enhances the visualization of oral tissue abnormalities (including oral caners) sometimes before they are even visible to the naked eye.
April is Oral Cancer Awareness month, and the Oral Cancer Foundation (OCF) has invited us to join them in their national screening campaign to increase awareness.

Our office will be offering complimentary VELscope screenings all throughout the month of April (a $91 value)

In addition, if you take a selfie with us while blowing a bubble with bubble gum you will be entered to win a FREE Oral-B Bluetooth Toothbrush!

We encourage you to call and schedule an appointment. With your participation, we are dedicated to do our part in reducing the death rate from this disease.

Remember oral cancer can be a silent killer...and it is up to you to give your mouth a voice. Call to schedule your FREE oral cancer screening today!

Thank you for reading! If you have any suggestions for feature blog posts, please email us!

Yours for a healthy, complete body and smile,

The Team at Ligocki Dental Group

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The Daily Brush Up

Oral and Throat Cancer

What You Should Know

What Puts You At Risk?

What To Watch For

Conclusion

Article Provided From

Speak Up For Your Mouth! Let's Put An End To Oral Cancer!

Hello!

The Team at Ligocki Dental Group

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