Oral Cancer - What You Should Know

 

 Oral cancer is a serious situation that can impact your life quickly. The sooner you get diagnosed the sooner you are on your way to treatment. Your periodontist is able to assess your gums and complete an extensive oral cancer exam to ensure you do not have any suspicious spots. In the event you have been diagnosed, here are four tips from periodontist Dr. Denine Rice.

1.     Stop smoking or using tobacco

           Smoking increases your chances of having oral cancer but once you have been diagnosed it is just as important you quit.  The tobacco and other chemicals in cigarettes decrease your chance of successfully healing after cancer surgery.  

 

2.     Add veggies and fruits to your diet

           Vegetables and fruits help keep your body strong while you are fighting this disease. You want to be as healthy as possible. Fruits and vegetables can give your body the nutrients depleted during chemotherapy and other cancer fighting treatments.

3.     Drink plenty of fluids

           Water is essential to keeping you as healthy as possible. There are multiple negative effects of dehydration, and during a time when your body is being depleted, you want to make sure you stay hydrated.

4.     Continue to see your dentist annually for an oral cancer exam - even if you have no teeth

           Visiting your dentist on a regular basis can make sure the cancer is not spreading to other parts of your mouth.

If you have any spots you are not sure about, or if you haven’t had an exam in the last six months contact Dr. Denine Rice today for an appointment.

Oral Cancer & What It Means For You

A periodontist not only completes root scaling and planning, or other surgeries to decrease dental gum disease, Dr. Denine Rice suggests that when you visit to have an oral health care screening done. While the health of your mouth is important and the team at Rice Periodontics and Implant Surgery wants to decrease your overall negative results of periodontal disease they also want to make sure that you do not have any potential signs of cancer

An oral health screening can be completed in the office and takes just a few minutes. An evaluation will be completed looking for any lesions in the mouth or white spots. Any spots that have changed color or grown in size may be suspicious. This procedure takes just a few extra minutes and the earlier that oral cancer is diagnosed the earlier treatment can begin.

An individual that smokes or uses smokeless tobacco is at a greater risk of cancer.  Although, any lesions today may be noncancerous, continuing to smoke and chew increases your risk everyday.

If Dr. Rice finds cancer after your screening she will contact you for options. In some cases she may suggest a follow-up screening to determine if the lesions have changed at all or she may recommend completing a biopsy to determine the right course of action.

Dr. Rice & her team work to provide excellent oral care for all patients which is why she is named one of Inland Empire’s Top Dentists.

                                                                        

Types of Oral Pathology Problems

 

Our mouths are constantly changing and while brushing your teeth you may have noticed something different. These changes should not be ignored and you should visit your regular provider if you see changes in the pathology of your mouth.

Types of pathologies could be white lesions in the mouth. If you are a smoker or chew smokeless tobacco you are at a higher risk for oral cancer. The earlier this is treated, the higher rate of success.  These white lesions are usually in a small patch on the cheek or inner lip. There are multiple types of tobacco cessation programs that Periodontist, Dr. Rice can recommend.  

A fluid filled sac on your tongue is called a Median Palatal Cyst. It usually is in the middle of your tongue and can be very sensitive.  If cysts are found it may be recommended to remove them. By removing them, it can reduce pain, breathing trouble and improve your overall speech.

 

Hairy tongue is a condition where there is abnormal hair growth on your tongue. More serious conditions of this are generally caused by drug use or HIV, however, individuals that are on antibiotics for a long time, have poor oral health care, or are undergoing radiation treatment can also experience this.  The tongue may appear black in color. The recommended treatment for this is very dependent upon the cause.

These types of pathologies should never be taken lightly. If you notice any of these oral concerns contact Dr. Denine Rice and her team for an extensive exam.

Oral Health Exam

An oral health exam should be conducted on a routine basis in order to make sure there are no abnormal growths in the mouth, neck, or jaw.  The exam should be completed every year.  This procedure is painless and does not take long, however this simple procedure could save your life.

Oral cancer is best treated when caught in the early stages. Your dentist may use a laser light, which allows them to see any changes in the mouth, throat or tongue that they are unable to see with the naked eye.  They will also check the inside of your lips, cheeks and tongue.

Your dentist will generally run their hands down your neck and the jaw, feeling the nodes for any changes.  Next, they will have you move your tongue from side to side and lift it up to determine if there is any discoloration or swelling.

During the exam the dentist is looking to see if there are any white lesions on the soft pink part in your mouth or any abnormal growths, such as cysts. While you may think that you would see these warning signs, you may not.

This exam can be completed at your yearly dental check-up. If anything is suspicious, treatment options will be further discussed with your provider based on the type and size of the abnormality and if appropriate, the stage. Eighty percent of individuals that have been diagnosed early with oral cancer have successful results. Don’t wait, if you haven’t seen your dentist in the last year, call Dr. Rice today.