Contributed by the Specialist Dental Group
April is Oral Cancer Awareness month. Although oral cancer is not as common as lung and breast cancer in Singapore, it is important to treat it during the early stages. One of the leading causes of oral cancer are high consumption of cigarettes and alcohol.
Knowing the Symptoms
Being aware of oral cancer symptoms enables early detection and treatment when the odds of survival are still very good. Some of the symptoms are:
· A sore or ulcer in the mouth that does not heal within two weeks.
· A lump in the cheek.
· A white or red patch on the gums, tongue or tonsils.
· A sore throat and difficulty in chewing or swallowing.
· Difficulty moving the jaw or tongue.
· Numbness of the tongue or other area of the mouth.
· Bleeding in your mouth and loose teeth.
Get Help!
Get help from the professionals! If you feel discomfort / abnormalities or notice one of the symptoms mentioned above, please visit your dentist or doctor for a check-up. Your dentist/doctor will perform a thorough examination and may take an x-ray, CT Scan and/or recommend a biopsy. Treatment options can then be recommended based on the results.
When surgery and chemotherapy or radiation are recommended to treat the cancer, your dentist will do a thorough dental assessment prior undergoing the treatment to identify and address any outstanding dental issues such as gum disease and or tooth decay. This will assist in minimizing the risk of oral complications during and after treatment cancer treatment. Regular visits to your dentist will help in early oral cancer detection and save you much cost, pain and psychological trauma. In short, prevention is always better than cure.
Specialist Dental Group is a corporate sponsor of the Canadian Association of Singapore (CAS). For more information on the different types of dental treatments, send an enquiry via www.specialistdentalgroup.com or call 6733 7883.
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