Our oral cavities help us accomplish several daily activities from eating our favorite foods to singing that song you can’t get out of your head, and, of course, helping us communicate with others through spoken word. We never really realize just how much we depend on our oral cavities every day until something goes awry living having a cold or experiencing a toothache. That’s why guarding your mouth, teeth, gums, and tongue from oral cancer is especially important.

Oral cancer doesn’t just affect your teeth and gums. It can affect your tongue and pharynx as well. Those who smoke and drink alcohol are at a higher risk for getting oral cancer, especially when both substances are used together. Additionally, your age and diet can increase your risk of getting oral cancer. Those who are over the age of 40 have a higher chance of developing the disease, and those who have a diet low in fruits and vegetables also put themselves at greater risk.

Be on the offensive and look out for these 8 symptoms, which could be possible signs of oral cancer:

*A sore, an irritation, a lump, or a thick patch in the mouth, throat, or lips.

*A white or red patch in the mouth.

*A persistent feeling that something is caught in the throat.

*Difficulty chewing or swallowing.

*Difficulty moving the tongue or jaw.

*Loose teeth.

*Swelling of the jaw that causes dentures to fit poorly or become uncomfortable.

*Pain in one ear without any hearing loss.

If you experience any of these symptoms for more than 2 weeks, you should see your doctor or dentist for an oral cancer exam. Usually, these symptoms point to an infection or another problem, not cancer; however, it’s essential to have them checked out. If it winds up being cancer, it can be treated more quickly and more successfully if it is caught early.

Did you know that we can perform the oral cancer exam? It’s a painless exam that takes only a few minutes to conduct, too! We check your face, neck, lips, tongue, mouth, and the back of your throat for any possible signs of cancer while you recline in one of our comfortable massaging chairs and watch your favorite show on Netflix. It’s that simple! Request your appointment with us today by calling (618) 288-9670 or visiting www.foleydentalgroup.com!