April is Oral Cancer Awareness Month, and while many Americans may not be as concerned with oral cancer as they are with other forms of the disease, it can be deadly and should never be taken lightly. Getting a regular dental screening is an excellent form of prevention, and if you’re seeking an endodontist near Hyde Park near Hyde Park for treatment, we urge you to call South Loop Dental Specialists immediately for an appointment.
Prevalence
According to the Oral Cancer Foundation, every hour of every day, someone in the U.S. dies of oral or oropharyngeal cancer (cancers of the mouth and upper throat).
Risk Factors
Some of the risk factors related to oral cancer include:
- Smoking – More than 60% of oral cancers are linked to smoking cigarettes, cigars, or pipes.
- Smokeless tobacco products – These are just as dangerous as smoking and perhaps more so because of ingredients mixed with the tobacco.
- Alcohol – Alcohol is linked to just under one-third of all oral cancers, and smoking and drinking increase the risk by up to 30 times.
- HPV – Several recent studies have linked oral cancer to the human papillomavirus (HPV), and some research suggests it could soon rival smoking and drinking as one of the main causes of oral cancer.
Don’t Delay
As part of your daily oral hygiene, watch for changes in the soft tissues of your mouth, such as sores that don’t heal within two weeks, and contact us immediately for an examination and consultation.