Oral cancer is a potentially fatal condition caused by a destructive mutation of the cells of the mouth, and detecting this problem early has saved many lives. While dentists are inspecting their patients’ soft oral tissues, they frequently check for signs of cancer so they can refer them to appropriate specialists if necessary. Here’s a brief guide to what oral cancer is and how your dentist can detect it.
What Is Oral Cancer?
Oral cancer happens when the cells in the mouth mutate in a harmful way and spread among the other tissues. If this process continues, it can disrupt key biological pathways and spread to other parts of the body, which is frequently fatal. Thankfully, the issue can be treated if it is detected early enough.
Oral cancer goes through these stages:
- Stage 0: This is when precancerous cells develop in the oral cavity.
- Stage 1: This is the first stage of cancer involving a tumor no larger than two centimeters that has not reached the lymph nodes.
- Stage 2: At this stage, the tumor is between two and four centimeters and has not yet reached the lymph nodes.
- Stage 3: The tumor is larger than four centimeters or the cancer has spread to the lymph nodes.
- Stage 4: The most advanced stage can be a tumor of any size that has spread to the lymph nodes, nearby tissue such as the jaw, or more remote parts of the body such as the lungs.
How Can My Dentist Detect Oral Cancer?
Oral cancer will often show itself through a growth or an irregular patch of tissue within the oral cavity, and a dentist noticing concerning symptoms such as these will refer the patient to a specialist who can diagnose and address the problem. Diagnosing oral cancer typically requires methods such as X-rays, CT scans, PET scans, MRI scans, or endoscopy. Men are twice as likely to develop oral cancer as women.
How Can I Prevent Oral Cancer?
The best ways to prevent oral cancer are to maintain excellent oral and overall health habits. These include:
- Proper diet
- Wearing sunscreen
- Abstaining from tobacco use and excessive alcohol consumption
- Seeing your dentist regularly so they can detect problems early
Regular dental visits are crucial to your oral and overall health. Your provider will be happy to schedule you for a checkup when you contact their office.
About the Author
Dr. Chung Chien Hsia earned his dental degree at Nova Southeastern University College of Dental Medicine and has completed an intensive maxicourse through the American Academy of Implant Dentistry. He is proud to be a member of the American Dental Association and the Academy of General Dentistry. His office in Richardson offers general, restorative, and emergency dentistry. To schedule your next dental visit, contact his office on the web or dial (214) 432-1133.
