Here is a quick overview
Influencing factors:
- Smoking
- Drinking
- Human papilloma virus
- Chewing tobacco
- Decreased resistance (trauma, infection, poor nutrition, etc.) combined with any of the above factors
Perform a Self-Exam Monthly
The best way for diagnosis is by keeping your regular dental checkups. It is part of the routine exam to look for oral cancer. The self exam is not a replacement for a check up done by your dentist.
You could check periodically at home by doing the following.
- Remove any partials or dentures you may have.
- Use a mirror in a well lit room. Look for white patches, red patches, chronic sores, lumps, thickenings or any abnormalities.
- Look and feel inside your lips, cheeks and gums on the front & back of your teeth.
- Look on the roof of your mouth
- Pull your tongue (the strongest muscle) out and look on top and bottom and the sides of your tongue
- Look for any lumps on both sides of your neck or on the bottom of your lower jaw
- Chronic soreness, sore throat, difficulty in swallowing
Early Detection and Treatment Provides a Better Chance for Cure.
If you find any of the above signs, consult a dentist right away, don’t wait for your next check up.
Your mouth is one of the body’s most important early warning system.
Information taken from http://www.aaoms.org/conditions-and-treatments/oral-cancer/
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