Two-minute oral cancer exam from Chelmsford dentist saves life

According to the Oral Cancer Foundation in America, someone dies at least every hour from the disease in the United States alone. Expand this across the rest of the world and we’re talking about a very serious killer. 300,000 new cases of oral cancer are diagnosed every year across the world and the disease is a serious threat, although it is very curable in its early stages. This is why it so important to have yourself checked as a routine, every six months. The perfect place to do this is at your dentist.

Dentists are trained to spot the signs and symptoms of oral cancer and will conduct a check as part of a standard check up. This will give you the best chance of spotting the disease early and an 80 per cent chance of survival. Oral cancer is described as any cancer that affects the oral cavity including the lips, tongue, gums and throat. It usually manifests itself as sores or a red or white colour on the soft tissue in the mouth. These sores are painful and don’t disappear naturally after a week or so like non-threatening sores. There are other symptoms such as unexplained weight loss or bleeding in the mouth. If you are in any way concerned about something in your mouth, make an appointment to see a Chelmsford who will examine you and carry out a brush biopsy if necessary.

There are several risk factors for oral cancer that may make you a more likely candidate. As you might expect, smoking is one of the very high risk factors for contracting the disease. As is alcohol and they are particularly dangerous when combined. Age and sex also make you more likely to be at risk, with men being twice as likely to be a sufferer.

You can protect yourself against oral cancer by avoiding dangerous substances such as tobacco and also avoiding unnecessary sunlight. Seeing your dentist every six months will also give you the best possible chance of beating the disease. Even a short two minute dental exam could make the difference and save your life. Call 01245 268 494 for a free consultation at Advance Dental Clinic in Chelmsford.