Though just as serious and potentially fatal as other malignancies, oral cancer is sometimes overlooked. However, April is Oral Cancer Awareness Month.

As the month comes to an end, the team of experienced, professional, and compassionate oral care providers at Mountain View Dental urge current and prospective patients to take a proactive stance in raising their own and others’ awareness of this dreaded illness.

The Prevalence of Oral Cancer

Oral cancer produces some startling statistics. The disease strikes roughly 50,000 people each year. Of those, approximately 10,000 will lose their lives. Researchers have found that this type of cancer impacts two times more men than women. That said, advancements in treatments and early diagnosis have increased five-year survival rates to 57 percent.

Risk Factors

Alcohol and Tobacco Usage

Scientists maintain that excessive alcohol and tobacco use are the most significant risk factors. Moreover, many people use these products in combination. Research has concluded that, when performed in tandem, these habits could increase one’s chances by 15 times more than merely indulging in one or the other product.

Age

Typically, those over 40 are at the greatest risk. Unfortunately, however, recent data has shown that incidents in younger people are appreciably increasing.

A History of Infection With HPV16

A variant of the human papillomavirus, known in medical circles as HPV16, is believed to share a strong correlation to oral cancer development. Typically, HPV16 is transmitted through sexual contact.

Overuse of Tanning Beds or Excessive Sunlight Exposure

Spending too much time in the sun or inside tanning beds has been linked to increased incidents of lip malignancies.

Researchers also regret to inform the public that almost 25 percent of all persons diagnosed carried none of the preceding risk factors, leaving said occurrences tied to unknown origins.

Potential Symptoms

Numerous cases do not produce symptoms until the disease has progressed to moderate or later stages. However, individuals are firmly implored to consult with an oral care provider if they experience physical manifestations such as:

Sores or Lumps

These wounds typically appear on the lip, on the gums, or inside the mouth, and do not heal, can be painful, and could increase in size.

Colored Patches

Some afflicted subjects develop discernible red or white patches appearing on the gums, cheeks, tongue, and even tonsils.

Pain

Discomfort or numbness might occur in the gums, lips, or teeth and intensify with actions like speaking or eating.

Miscellaneous Symptoms

In addition to the preceding manifestations, stricken individuals might experience a lump in their throat, unusual bleeding from the gums or lips, difficulty executing the jaw movements needed to speak and consume foods, the emergence of loose teeth or poorly fitting dentures, and voice changes.

Prevention

Unfortunately, not all incidents can be prevented. However, one crucial facet of oral cancer awareness is the importance of early detection. Identifying a malignancy as early as possible renders treatment easier and significantly increases one’s chances of making a full recovery.

That said, early detection is a two-tiered process involving a patient and their dental care provider. Individuals are continually urged to look out for any visible or palpable changes occurring in and around their oral cavities. Should any anomalies be detected, said subjects are urged to schedule an immediate consultation with an experienced dental professional.

In addition to keeping one’s vigilance up, dental patients are urged to maintain proper oral hygiene, quit smoking, receive routine checkups every six months, moderate alcohol intake, limit natural sunlight exposure, and avoid tanning beds.

Contacting Us

We here at Mountain View Dental pride ourselves on providing patients with a comfortable and friendly atmosphere. To learn more about us or to schedule a consultation, please visit our website or call us at 385-324-3557.

As the body of research surrounding Alzheimer’s disease grows, a disturbing connection has been found between oral health and Alzheimer’s. According to researchers, gum disease or poor oral health may quadruple the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease in the future. This makes maintaining good oral health one of the few preventable risk factors for dementia.

Periodontal Disease and Inflammation

Periodontal disease or gum inflammation causes the gums to become inflamed, red, and tender. It’s considered a chronic but low-grade inflammatory disease. According to a study of health histories, activities, and education of more than 20,000 people, it appears that chronic gum disease and inflammation early in life can have serious consequences later. This inflammation may create a burden on the body and affect general health to make the brain more susceptible to the protein buildup that causes Alzheimer’s later.

Gingivitis Bacteria Can Infect the Brain

The connection between oral health and Alzheimer’s isn’t just related to chronic inflammation. Researchers have also found the bacterium Porphyromonas gingivalis in the brains of dementia patients.

P. gingivalis is one of many types of oral bacteria associated with the periodontal disease that’s normally found in oral cavities as a biofilm plaque on teeth. Gum disease can cause deep pockets to form in the gums that allows the bacteria and plaque to accumulate and multiply. The bacteria may then enter the bloodstream during eating, brushing teeth or during an invasive dental treatment. The blood-brain barrier is easier to cross with age, allowing the bacteria to invade the brain and destroy nerve tissue by activating the immune system.

Oral HSV-1 and Alzheimer’s

P. gingivalis isn’t the only type of oral infection that can increase the risk of Alzheimer’s disease. The oral herpes simplex virus (HPV-1) may also play a role. About 70% of adults over 50 have HPV-1 virus although the virus usually remains latent until it’s activated by illness or stress. Once HPV-1 is activated, research shows it reduces the body’s ability to fight infections and increases the risk of periodontal infections.

There is also a strong link between HSV-1 and Alzheimer’s disease as the virus can cause protein deposits in the brain that are characteristic of Alzheimer’s, including “tangles” inside neurons and “plaques” between neurons. One study found that the brains of people with Alzheimer’s disease had twice as much of two strains of herpes viruses than people without Alzheimer’s.

Maintaining Great Oral Health

Oral health is important at every age. As research now shows, your oral health when you are young may even affect your general health decades from now. Seniors can also reduce their risk of Alzheimer’s by maintaining good oral hygiene to reduce the risk of advanced gum disease and infection.

Along with brushing your teeth at least twice a day, make sure you floss daily. If you neglect to floss, the plaque that causes gum disease and harbors P. gingivalis can damage the fibers that secure the gum tissue to the teeth, eventually leading to chronic inflammation and a higher risk of Alzheimer’s disease.

Seniors with dentures still need to worry about gum disease and oral infections. Rinsing your mouth with salt water can help keep your gums clean. When you remove the dentures, use a soft toothbrush to brush your gums, cheeks, tongue, and the roof of your mouth to boost circulation in your oral tissues and reduce plaque buildup.

Schedule Your Appointment Today

The risk of Alzheimer’s disease is just another reason to stay on top of your oral health. Regular checkups with your dentist are an easy way to reduce plaque and the risk of gum disease. Contact Mountain View Dental today to schedule an appointment and discuss any concerns you may have about your oral health.

It’s not unusual to have sores or lesions in your mouth. Many are harmless and go away on their own in a few days. A good example of this issue is a canker sore. However, there are other problems that can be much more serious and even deadly if not treated quickly. Gum cancer, also known as oral cancer, is one of those issues. Mouth canker sores and oral cancer can often be confused. It’s important to know the difference for the sake of your health and getting treatment if you need it. The best thing to do is to speak with a dentist to be examined to find out whether you have a canker sore or gum cancer.

How to Identify a Canker Sore

Canker sores are painful sores that appear in the mouth, usually on the inside of the cheek or on the gum. They may be reddish or white in color. Generally, if you feel pain when you have a sore in your mouth, it is probably not oral cancer because cancerous lesions tend to be painless. Mouth canker sores also usually go away on their own in a week or two, sometimes even only in a few days.

A canker sore is round or oval in shape, small and not deep, and white or yellowish with a red border around them. Although many of these sores are painful, not all are and some may take as long as six weeks to heal.

Canker sores develop for a number of reasons. They can appear as a result of hormonal changes, stress to the mouth or even sensitivity to certain foods. Unlike oral cancer, canker sores are also not patchy.

Generally, there are a few treatment options for canker sores, such as a medicinal mouth rinse that your dentist or doctor can prescribe. There are over-the-counter creams like Orajel that can be applied to relieve the pain, and oral steroids may also be effective. However, most canker sores go away on their own without treatment.

Signs and Symptoms of Oral Cancer

If you have a lesion or sore that is gum cancer, it won’t heal on its own like a canker sore. A cancerous ulcer is generally painless and can be determined by a few different signs and symptoms. They include the following:

Sores in the mouth that bleed
Thick lumps or tissue in the mouth
Teeth suddenly loose without reason
Patches in the mouth that are red or white and blotchy
Numbness in the mouth
A persistent sore throat or hoarseness
The sensation that something is stuck in your throat
Pain, stiffness, or swelling in your jaw
Your dentures suddenly fitting poorly

Knowing Your Risk for Gum Cancer

Something that can help you to determine whether you merely have a canker sore or gum cancer is to determine your risk for the disease. The American Dental Association (ADA) reports that people who smoke or are heavy drinkers are more likely to develop oral cancer. People over 44 years old are also more likely to develop the disease. Having human papillomavirus (HPV) also increases one’s risk of getting oral cancer.

If you want to be examined for possible oral cancer and are located near the Pleasant View area, contact Mountain View Dental at your earliest convenience. Schedule your appointment today, and ask any questions or concerns you have.

Call (385) 324-3557 to schedule an appointment.

If you have cancer inside your mouth, then it can lead to dental health problems in a variety of ways. When your physician or a dentist finds a growth or sore inside your mouth, a biopsy may indicate that it is cancerous. In addition to having medical issues from cancer, you can experience problems from the treatments for cancer. Here are some dental health problems that commonly occur with cancer of the mouth.

Problem 1: Difficulty Chewing Food

The treatments for cancer in the mouth can lead to tenderness in your soft oral tissues, making it difficult to chew food. You may also notice a problem with your teeth as the gums begin to swell or bleed, and this can lead to having loose teeth. If you have this problem, then you might avoid eating nutritious foods such as fruits or vegetables, leading to vitamin and mineral deficiencies that can cause additional health problems. You may need to begin a dietary supplement regimen if you are unable to eat certain foods.

Problem 2: Reduction of Saliva

The saliva that your salivary glands produce is vital for your oral health because it helps with the digestion of food. In addition, saliva lubricates your mouth’s tissues to make it easier to chew food and talk. Unfortunately, mouth cancer and its specialized treatment can change the production of saliva, leading to a chronic dry-mouth condition. This problem is uncomfortable, but it also has detrimental effects on the health of your gums, tongue, palate, and teeth. If you are undergoing radiation treatment for mouth cancer, then it can alter the way that your salivary glands function.

Problem 3: Developing Gingivitis

The chemotherapy process can reduce the functions of your body’s immune system, leading to inflammation in the gum tissues. First, you will notice that your gums feel tender, but gingivitis will progress until your gums are red, swollen, and bleeding. The infection in the gums can spread to the roots of your teeth and the underlying alveolar bones. Without treatment for gum disease, you can develop an infection in the jawbone, and you can also lose teeth.

Problem 4: Pain in the Jaw

You may experience severe jaw pain from mouth cancer treatment, but a dentist can help you with this problem by making a customized mouth guard that you wear at night to prevent any problems from grinding your teeth. The radiation or chemotherapy treatment for cancer of the mouth can change the way that your tendons, muscles, and joints react, leading to tension and excruciating pain. This can keep you from sleeping at night, and if you are undergoing treatment for mouth cancer, then proper rest is essential.

Contact Us Today

If you need a dentist who can help you with the dental health problems that occur from mouth cancer treatment, contact Mountain View Dental located in Pleasant View, Utah. You can schedule an appointment or ask our friendly staff any questions you may have by calling us at (385) 324-3557.

Oral cancer is defined as a malignancy impacting any portion an afflicted individual’s mouth including the gums, palate, tongue, lips, and cheeks. The following brief blog will touch on important issues related to this serious health malady such as symptoms people should look out for, oral cancer causes, and possible treatment options.

Red Flag Symptoms

Oral cancer may produce a variety of physical manifestations that could indicate the disease’s presence, such as:

A Sore That Does Not Heal

Any sore or ulcer that develops inside any part of the mouth should heal and disappear within a short duration. Should the anomaly last longer than a couple of weeks, increase in size, or produce pain, it might be symptomatic of cancer.

Unexplained Bleeding

If the mouth expels blood unexpectedly, it may be an indication of cancer.

The Presence of White or Red Patches or Growths

The appearance of tiny red or white patches that develop inside the mouth and do not go away could be a sign of trouble.

Eating or Chewing Difficulties

Quite often, oral cancers might inhibit a stricken person’s ability to chew properly or even swallow. If eating difficulties are also combined with unexplained weight loss, it could be a big red flag.

Persistent Mouth Pain

Pain or discomfort that develops and lingers anywhere in the mouth could be a sign of cancer.

Oral Cancer Causes

Oral cancer may be precipitated by several different causes, including:

Smoking

Individuals who smoke stand a much greater chance of developing oral cancer than those who do not.

Chewing Tobacco

Those who chew tobacco are up to 50 times as likely to develop some type of mouth malignancy.

Increased Alcohol Intake

Heavy alcohol consumption increases a person’s risk many folds.

Family History

Those who have a close family relation who developed oral cancer are at an increased risk of being stricken with the malady.

Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Infection

Some variations of HPV have been thought to increase the risk of oral cancer in those infected.

Oral Cancer Treatments

The specific form of treatment can vary from case to case and often depends upon the exact location of the malignancy, how advanced the cancer is, the patient’s age and their overall health. However, certain forms of treatment might be indicated and include surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy.

Contact Mountain View Dental Today

If you have concerns or questions about oral cancer or any other dental or oral care issue, please contact Mountain View Dental today. We treat a countless number of patients inside our comfortable and professional office. For more information, or to schedule an appointment, please call (385) 324-3557.

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The Prevalence of Oral Cancer

Risk Factors

Potential Symptoms

Prevention