According to the American Cancer Society, oral cancer rates are increasing all over the United States. That is primarily because a lot of people do not get tested for the disease. Fortunately, people can screen themselves to find out if they have oral cancer, allowing them to start treatment before the disease spreads.
With oral cancer rates increasing, people are becoming more aware of the disease, which should help save a lot of lives in the future. Since some people cannot afford to go to the doctor or dentist to get screened, medical professionals are encouraging them to screen themselves at home.
People who are interested in screening themselves for oral cancer can do so following a few simple steps. Those steps involve looking for any lumps, sores, moles, lesions or growths. If a lump is found during the screening, doctors recommend waiting for two weeks to see if it disappears before going into the hospital to get checked out. Doctors also recommend being aware of any red, white or dark colored patches on the skin as well as any patches or lesions that have a matte feeling to them.
People can screen themselves for oral cancer following these steps:
People can feel lumps on their faces and necks with their hands. But, they get a better picture of the lump by conducting the search for lumps in front of a mirror. This allows them to see things that they are unable to see while using just their hands.
This does not mean there will be drastic changes in the color of the person’s skin. It simply means the lumps or lesions will have a slightly different color than the rest of their skin, which make them more noticeable. If the lumps or sores on the neck and face have a different color, a visit to the hospital should be scheduled.
When searching for lumps, people should make sure that they check their necks thoroughly, especially men, who tend to have bumps on their skin after they shave. Doctors recommend starting from under the jaw and moving down to the Adam’s apple. Once the Adam’s apple has been reached, the people conducting the screening should swallow and make sure the Adam’s apple goes up and down instead of side to side.
During the screening, the tongue should be pulled out so the sides can be examined for lumps, lesions or sores. The tissue beneath the tongue should also be examined.
The inside of the cheeks should be examined for lumps by placing the index finger inside the cheek with the thumb on the outside and moving it around in the mouth to feel for lumps. The lips should also be pulled out to check for lumps or blisters on the lips and gums.
Oral cancer is a potentially fatal disease, especially when it is left untreated for a long time. Stay ahead of the disease by performing oral cancer screening at home on a regular basis.
Request an appointment here: https://dragonflydentalportcharlotte.com or call Dragonfly Dental of Port Charlotte at (941) 676-9225 for an appointment in our Port Charlotte office.
Check out what others are saying about our services on Google: Read our Google reviews.
General dentistry is a dental practice where professionals prioritize diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of dental issues. A patient may undergo cleanings, fillings, root canals, and various other procedures to save their teeth and gums during an appointment. General dentists also stress the importance of oral health education.While most patients understand the importance of dental hygiene,…
Gum disease is a common problem for many Americans who visit general dentistry clinics. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that nearly half of adults in the U.S. over the age of 30 have some manner of periodontal problems that, when left untreated, can lead to bleeding gums, chronic bad breath, and tooth…
Smile imperfections can dampen the way you see yourself. Fortunately, there are various to improve or correct them. One of the most common is dental bonding. This smile restorative can enhance smiles and their function in as little as one appointment.Dental bonding is a cosmetic procedure that uses tooth-colored composite resin to form the shape…
Patients who schedule routine general dentistry visits understand that maintaining a healthy mouth is critical to overall health. Therefore, although teeth cleaning may occur at regular dental appointments, patients also visit general dentists for other treatments.A general dentist is a primary dental care provider responsible for helping patients maintain healthy mouths by providing preventative and…