According to the , approximately 37,000 Americans are diagnosed with oral cancer each year.
Approximately 8,000 of these diagnoses result in death. Thankfully, oral cancer screenings allow our Holland dentist at Macatawa Smiles to catch mouth cancer in its early stages so you have the best chance for survival.
Symptoms of Oral Cancer
Oral cancer is so dangerous because people often don’t have symptoms until it’s too late. If you notice any of the following signs of mouth cancer, schedule an appointment with our family dentist immediately.
Signs of oral cancer include:
- Red or white patches in mouth
- Bleeding in mouth
- Difficulty swallowing
- Pain while swallowing
- Difficulty chewing
- Hoarse voice
- Chronic sore throat
- Persistent bad breath
Risk Factors for Oral Cancer
You are more likely to have oral cancer if you have a history of smoking, alcohol abuse, poor diet, or not using sun protection on the lips. You may also be at higher risk if you have a family history of cancer. If you have any of these risk factors, it’s important to discuss them with our Holland family dentist.
Learn More
Our Holland, MI, family dentist always strives to help patients maintain good oral health by providing preventative dentistry services like mouth cancer screenings. If you are interested in scheduling a dental exam or oral cancer screening, call Macatawa Smiles at (616) 396-7524, or contact us online.
