Smoking cigarettes and the use of other tobacco products can be extremely dangerous to your health. Each year, more than 30,000 new cases of cancer of the mouth and throat are diagnosed. Of these, nearly 75 percent of oral and throat cancers at caused by the use of smoked and smokeless tobacco.
Did You Know?
- Smokers have a five times greater risk of dying from oral cancer than nonsmokers.
- More than 9,000 people die from oral cancer each year.
- When tobacco and alcohol use are combined, the risk of oral cancer increase 15 times more than non-users of tobacco and alcohol products.
- You cannot reduce your risk of oral cancer by switching from cigarettes to a pipe, cigars or smokeless tobacco.
Oral cancer includes cancers of the mouth, tongue, lips, throat, parts of the nose, and larynx. The five-year survival rate for these cancers is only about 50 percent.
Risky Habits
Don’t put yourself at risk. Stop these risky habits:
- cigarette, cigar or pipe smoking;
- use of smokeless tobacco; and
- excessive use of alcohol.
Warning Signs
Since early detection is so important, check your mouth when brushing and flossing. If you notice any changes in the way your mouth looks, or any of these signs and symptoms, contact your dentist immediately:
- A mouth sore that does not heal or that bleeds easily.
- A white or red patch in the mouth that will not go away.
- A lump, thickening or soreness in the mouth, throat, or on the tongue.
- Pain, tenderness or numbness anywhere in the mouth or lips.
- Difficulty chewing, swallowing food, speaking, or moving the jaw or tongue.
Early Detection is the Key
Most early signs of oral cancer are painless and hard to discover without a complete examination by a dentist or physician. However, oral and throat cancers lend themselves to early diagnosis and treatment. Regular dental exams and early detection can greatly reduce the risk of these life-threatening cancers.
Treatment for Oral Cancer
If your dentist suspects oral cancer, a biopsy of the lesion will be performed to confirm the diagnosis. Surgery is required to remove the tumors and radiation may also be used as part of the treatment.
What You Can Do
- Eating a diet high in fruits and vegetables may help prevent oral cancers.
- Eliminate any risky, cancer-causing habits, especially tobacco and alcohol use.
- Visit your dentist regularly for a thorough exam, including an oral cancer screening.
Smoking cigarettes and the use of other tobacco products can be extremely dangerous to your health. Each year, more than 30,000 new cases of cancer of the mouth and throat are diagnosed. Of these, nearly 75 percent of oral and throat cancers at caused by the use of smoked and smokeless tobacco.
Did You Know?
- Smokers have a five times greater risk of dying from oral cancer than nonsmokers.
- More than 9,000 people die from oral cancer each year.
- When tobacco and alcohol use are combined, the risk of oral cancer increase 15 times more than non-users of tobacco and alcohol products.
- You cannot reduce your risk of oral cancer by switching from cigarettes to a pipe, cigars or smokeless tobacco.
Oral cancer includes cancers of the mouth, tongue, lips, throat, parts of the nose, and larynx. The five-year survival rate for these cancers is only about 50 percent.
Risky Habits
Don’t put yourself at risk. Stop these risky habits:
- cigarette, cigar or pipe smoking;
- use of smokeless tobacco; and
- excessive use of alcohol.
Warning Signs
Since early detection is so important, check your mouth when brushing and flossing. If you notice any changes in the way your mouth looks, or any of these signs and symptoms, contact your dentist immediately:
- A mouth sore that does not heal or that bleeds easily.
- A white or red patch in the mouth that will not go away.
- A lump, thickening or soreness in the mouth, throat, or on the tongue.
- Pain, tenderness or numbness anywhere in the mouth or lips.
- Difficulty chewing, swallowing food, speaking, or moving the jaw or tongue.
Early Detection is the Key
Most early signs of oral cancer are painless and hard to discover without a complete examination by a dentist or physician. However, oral and throat cancers lend themselves to early diagnosis and treatment. Regular dental exams and early detection can greatly reduce the risk of these life-threatening cancers.
Treatment for Oral Cancer
If your dentist suspects oral cancer, a biopsy of the lesion will be performed to confirm the diagnosis. Surgery is required to remove the tumors and radiation may also be used as part of the treatment.
What You Can Do
- Eating a diet high in fruits and vegetables may help prevent oral cancers.
- Eliminate any risky, cancer-causing habits, especially tobacco and alcohol use.
- Visit your dentist regularly for a thorough exam, including an oral cancer screening.