Catch It Early with the Help of The Best Oral Surgeons
According to the Oral Cancer Foundation, close to 53,000 Americans will be diagnosed with oral or oropharyngeal cancer over the course of this year. Oral cancer will cause over 9,750 deaths, taking roughly 1 person’s life per hour, 24 hours a day. Of those 53,000 newly-diagnosed individuals, only slightly more than half will still be living in 5 years.
These are some staggering statistics, and only emphasize how imperative it is for us to be vigilant about oral care, and ensure we have regular dental and oral exams to promote the early detection of potential issues. Here at Ocoee Oral Surgery in Cleveland, TN, we understand the gravity of an oral cancer diagnosis. We want to be a resource for our patients, and help however we can to educate them about oral cancer symptoms and signs, so that they can get the treatment necessary and as early as possible. We specialize in oral pathology, the detection and treatment of diseases that can affect the oral and maxillofacial regions (or the mouth and jaw areas).
Some things to look out for and be aware of include:
- Persistent sores in the mouth that do not heal
- Persistent oral pain
- White or red patches on the gums, tongue, tonsils, or oral lining
- Thickening or lump in the cheek area
- Sore throat, or the feeling that something is caught in your throat
- Stiffness or difficulty moving the tongue or jaw
- Difficulty chewing or swallowing
- Numbness of the tongue or other areas inside the mouth
- Swelling of the jaw
- Unexplained tooth or jaw pain
- Unexplained loose teeth
- Voice changes
- Bad breath
- A lump in the neck area
- Weight loss
If you are experiencing any of these symptoms or ailments for weeks at a time, you may need to see your oral surgeon in Cleveland, TN for potential screenings and tests. It’s so important with any form of cancer or disease to detect it as early as possible so you can work with your provider to draft a treatment plan that will be most effective. Our caring staff here at Ocoee Oral is here to help, and support you with any oral surgery, dental implant process, TMJ treatment, tooth removal, and more.