April is Oral Cancer Awareness Month, and here at Kensington Square Dental, we want to ensure our clients are well-informed and well cared for regarding prevention and early detection.

First, what is oral cancer? Oral cancer refers to any cancer affecting the oral cavity, which includes your lips, tongue, gums, roof and floor of your mouth, teeth, and the inner lining of your lips and cheeks. It’s most common in people over the age of 45 and tends to affect men more than women. But that doesn’t mean younger people and women aren’t affected! It’s still important to take preventative measures and to come for regular check-ups where your dentist can perform a screening.

You may be thinking, “Oral cancer can’t be that common, why should I be concerned about getting screened?” According to Canadian Cancer Statistics, in 2020, more than 5000 Canadians were diagnosed with oral cancer, and unfortunately, an estimated 1500 people did not survive. It’s important to take your oral health seriously as it can greatly impact your overall well-being!

So, what are the risk factors, signs and symptoms of oral cancer? And how can you reduce your risk of developing it? Read on to find out!

Are you at risk for oral cancer?

Hopefully, one day, sooner than later, cancer researchers will have more information about oral cancer and other cancer types, but for now, the exact causes are unknown. Unfortunately, sometimes even the healthiest of individuals can be diagnosed with this disease and there is no perfect solution. However, there are known factors that increase your risk of contracting oral cancer, we can all do our best to avoid them when possible:

• Age—people over 45 are at the highest risk (of course, this isn’t a factor we can avoid)
• Smoking and chewing tobacco
• Excess alcohol consumption
• Sun exposure (particularly increases the risk of lip cancer, which occurs most often on the bottom lip, which is generally more exposed to the sun)
• HPV-16 infections and potentially HPV-18
• Unprotected oral sex
• A diet low in fruits and vegetables
• People with a weakened immune system
• History of leukoplakia, a thick, whitish-colour patch inside the mouth

Overall, the Canadian Cancer Society notes that individuals with poor oral health are at a higher risk of developing oral cancer, which is why it’s so important to take care of your mouth! Educating patients and helping them form healthy oral care habits is part of our patient care program at Kensington Square Dental. If you ever have questions about your oral care habits—if they are up to par, or if they could use some adjusting or improving—please ask us at your next visit.

Early detection is important—schedule a screening

As is the case with all cancers, early detection of oral cancer significantly improves a patient’s prognosis. The team at Kensington Square Dental are trained in how to detect signs of oral cancer and will perform a screening during your regular dental check-up. There are some signs you can pay attention to at home—should you detect any concerning symptoms, please schedule an appointment with your dentist straight away:

• A sore on the lip or in the mouth that does not heal
• A lump on the lip, in the mouth, or throat
• A white or red patch on the gums, tongue, or lining of the mouth
• Unusual bleeding, pain or numbness in the mouth
• A sore throat that does not go away, or a feeling that something is caught in the throat
• Difficulty or pain with chewing or swallowing
• Swelling of the jaw, causing dentures to fit poorly or become uncomfortable
• A change in voice and/or pain in the ear

Doing regular self-screenings at home can help in the early detection of oral cancer. It’s always best to be safe, so if you do have any concerns, please contact us at Kensington Square Dental and our staff will be happy to help get you in for an appointment so your dentist can take a closer look.

Prevention is the best protection

Taking care of your oral health and avoiding risk factors will always be your best chance at managing and mitigating your risk of developing oral cancer. While it’s never the patient’s fault and cancer can occur in the healthiest of mouths, the following prevention methods can decrease your risk (and improve both your oral and overall health):

• See your dentist regularly
• Quit (or reduce) tobacco use
• Quit (or reduce) alcohol use
• Use a lip balm with UV protection and wear a hat
• Eat a healthy diet rich in fruits and vegetables
• Brush and floss your teeth at least twice a day
• Conduct self-screenings at home

Taking care of your oral health is taking care of your overall health. While there’s no guaranteed way of protecting yourself from cancer, there are plenty of things you can do to reduce your risk. Good oral hygiene and regular check-ups with your dentist are a crucial part of preventative care. Burnaby residents are welcome to book in for a checkup with us at Kensington Square Dental, where we are happily taking new clients.

Prominent sources

https://www.cda-adc.ca/en/oral_health/talk/complications/diseases/oral_cancer.asp

Oral Cancer Awareness Month