Blythe Danner on Oral Cancer

An estimated 3400 Canadians will be diagnosed with oral cancer this year. While early detection boosts the survival rate to 80--90%, oral cancer is often undiagnosed until the cancer has progressed too far.

Why Oral Cancer is Often Undetected
Since oral cancer doesn't always have uncomfortable side effects, detection often only occurs through recognizing symptoms and getting regular dental checkups.

Signs and Symptoms
According to the Canadian Cancer Society, other health conditions can have the same signs and symptoms as oral cancer, so having any of the following symptoms does not necessarily mean a person has cancer.
- An ulcer or sore in the mouth that doesn't heal
- A lump in the lip, mouth, gums, tongue, roof, or tonsils
- Thickening in the cheek
- Bleeding in the mouth
- Pain in the mouth that doesn't go away
- Loose teeth
- Dentures that no longer fit
- Slurred speech
- Swollen saliva glands
- Swollen lymph nodes in the neck

For peace of mind, if you experience any of the above symptoms, you can have them checked by one of the dentists at the Warden Eglinton Dental Centre.

The Best Offense if a Great Defense
Keep those regular six-month dental cleaning appointments and screenings. Doing so greatly increases the likelihood that any problems will be detected early.

As your trusted oral health partner, all of us at the Warden Eglinton Dental Centre want to keep you and your loved ones as healthy as possible. Let us know if you have any questions about oral cancer or if you experience any of the above symptoms. And share this information with someone you know! Staying informed helps all of us live healthier.

To book an appointment or a free consultation, contact our office today at (416) 751-4290. Also, be sure to join the Warden Eglinton Dental Centre on Facebook - www.facebook.com/wedental - to keep up with things happening in our practice that effect you and your family's oral health and wellness! - Dr. Jules Litwin

For more information, visit us at http://www.wedental.ca.

Category:

Education

Tags:

• oral cancer
• warden eglinton dental centre
• canadian cancer society
• scarborough dentist
• toronto dentist
• oral cancer screening
• cancer
• canada
• teeth
• ontario