Oral cancer is something that no one wants about, but it can be a very important subject to discuss with your Santa Monica dentist. Oral cancer refers to a disease in which cancer cells develop in the oral cavity or in the area of the lip or mouth. The oral cavity refers to the upper and lower gums, the lining of the inside of the cheeks and lip, the front two thirds of the tongue, the part of the mouth underneath the tongue, the bony palate at the top of the mouth, and the area behind the wisdom teeth. If any of these areas develop cancer cells, oral cancer is the result.
Oral cancer most often affects people who are over the age of 45, but it can affect much younger patients as well. Like most cancers, oral cancer is most easily treated when it is discovered early. There are many stages to this type of cancer:
1. Stage one: In stage one oral cancer, the cancer cells cover an area of no more than 2 cm and have not spread to the lymph nodes.
2. Stage two: In stage two oral cancer, the cancer covers an area of more than 2 cm but less than 4 cm. Again, at this stage the cancer has not spread to the lymph nodes.
3. Stage three: In stage three oral cancer, the cancer may have spread to one lymph node, generally on the same side of the face as the cancer cells. The cancer may also be more than 4 cm in area in order for the cancer to be considered that stage three.
4. Stage four: In this stage of oral cancer, the cancer may spread to tissues beyond the oral cavity or lip. The lymph nodes may contain cancer cells at this stage of the cancer.
Oral cancer is most common in men, although women can also develop the disease as well. People who have been in the sun a lot and who have light-colored skin are more likely to get this type of cancer. Smokers and those who smoke pipe and chew tobacco are more likely to suffer from this type of cancer.
In many cases, a dentist is the first to notice signs of oral cancer. A dentist carefully examining your mouth can notice lumps in or around the gum, mouth, or lip area. A sore in the mouth that does not heal can also often tip off a dentist that you may have oral cancer. If you notice any of these signs of oral cancer yourself, be sure to visit your doctor right away. He or she can perform a biopsy to determine whether you have cancer. However, it is also important to visit your dentist regularly, as he or she will often notice small bumps or lumps before you do. Another common sign of oral cancer is that dentures no longer fit very well. If your dentures do not fit well, you dentist can not only make sure that your dentures fit well again, but he or she can also ensure that you are not developing any of the symptoms of oral cancer.
Visiting your dentist regularly can do a lot more than just keep your smile bright. Visiting your dentist regularly can also actually save your life. If it has been a while since you last saw your dentist, contact West LA Dental today for an appointment.