Dentist in East Islip Reminds Us That April is Oral Cancer Awareness Month

While you may not hear a lot about oral cancer, it has some frightening statistics that haven’t changed much over the years. For example, did you know that one person dies every hour in America from oral cancer? Or that it has a high rate of reoccurrence if you survive it the first time? The good news is that it’s easy to protect yourself from this deadly disease with routine examinations with your dentist in East Islip. April is Oral Cancer Awareness Month, and here’s what you should know.

Defining Oral Cancer

Oral cancer refers to any cancer in the head or neck region excluding the brain, which has its own category. Oral cancer is often not easily detected on your own since there is very minimal pain and hardly any symptoms in the beginning. This is why consistent visits to your dentist are so important.

Here are some signs to look out for:

• Pain or discomfort when talking, swallowing, or eating
• Lumps in your mouth or neck
• Discolored soft tissue in your mouth that appears red or white
• Sores or lesions that haven’t healed within 14 days
• Numbness in your face or mouth

While your dentist can detect this disease early on with an oral cancer screening in East Islip, you can also advocate for yourself by scheduling an examination right away if you notice any of these signs or symptoms.

Risk Factors for Oral Cancer

Using tobacco products greatly increases your risk of developing oral cancer. When you combine tobacco use with alcohol, it multiplies 15 times.

The HPV virus is contributing to a rise of younger people developing the disease.

Diet can also be a contributing factor for certain types of cancer. Increasing your intake of fruits and vegetables naturally protects you from some forms of cancer.

Protect Yourself From Oral Cancer

Visiting your dentist consistently twice per year is your best defense against oral cancer as each examination includes an oral cancer screening. Your dentist can detect the disease in its earliest stages, which gives you a better chance of successfully treating it.

Calling your dentist in East Islip to schedule your appointment today could mean the difference between life and death. Don’t delay!

About the Author

Dr. Gary Rosenfeld has been serving patients in East Islip for over 30 years. He and his team understand how essential oral cancer screenings are to the health of their patients, and that’s why they take the time to educate patients about this deadly disease.

If you would like to contact Dr. Rosenfeld, he can be reached online or by calling (631) 581-8600.