Smoking, chewing tobacco, and heavy drinking have traditionally been major links to the increased risk of developing oral cancer. However, in the last few years reports have shown an increase in oropharyngeal cancers which is cancer of the mouth and throat. Reports have shown that a sexually transmitted disease, Human Papillomavirus (HPV), is now a contributing factor to the risk of oral cancer. Although discussion of a sexually transmitted disease may not be on the list of topics discussed with your dentist, it should be. According to Johns Hopkins Medicine, nearly 20 million Americans now have some fort of genital or oral HPV.

Oral cancer involves cancers of the head, neck, mouth, tongue, tonsils, and throat, as defined by The Oral Cancer Foundation. Oropharyngeal cancer, which affects the back of the mouth and throat specifically, is a subset of oral cancers that is directly linked to HPV. If caught early, oral cancer can be treated and have a high survival rate. Even better, your dentist can easily screen for oral cancer at your routine dental cleanings and checkups.

Oral cancer has a nearly an 80-90% survival rate if caught early. The problem is that most cases of oral cancer are not caught until the later stages have developed. Late-stage oral cancer has only a five-year, 43% survival rate. According to the Oral Cancer Foundation, 115 new cases of oral cancer are diagnosed each day in the United States. How many of those new cases will be caught early? With routine dental cleanings and exams, many of those individuals could go on to live a long, healthy life after treatment for their oral cancer.

Statistically, oral cancer was found mostly in men over the age of 50 who were heavy smokers or drinkers. However, in recent years studies have shown that men are six times more likely than women to develop HPV-related oral cancer, but more cases are being diagnosed among women in their 40’s. How can you help to avoid this statistic? Visit your dentist regularly!

An oral cancer screening performed by the dentist could help save your life. During your routine dental checkups every six months, your dentist should be screening for oral cancer. If not, ask! There are also signs you could be looking out for at home, in between your routine dental cleanings and checkups. For instance, call your dentist if you notice abnormalities in the tissue around your face or lips or asymmetrical markings or borders that change color. Another sign of oral cancer is sores or cuts that do not seem to be healing. Also, hoarseness that is not linked to allergies, cold or other illness, or any lumps found in the neck or underneath your jaw. Be sure to contact the dentist if you notice any of these changes.

Remember, if caught early, oral cancer has a much higher survival rate. That is why Dr. Hartrick of Royal Oak and Birmingham Michigan recommends routine dental cleanings and checkups. Do not wait until you experience symptoms of oral cancer, but be proactive by calling Dr. Hartrick’s office today to schedule your next routine dental exam and cleaning. It could be the call that saves your life!

You brush and floss regularly and visit the dentist like you should, so your mouth should be safe from decay, right? Wrong! When it comes to your dental hygiene, what you put into your body matters too. Many patients do not realize the impact that sipping on sodas all day can have on their teeth. Here is how coke can kill your dental hygiene.

Coke and other soft drinks contain sugar. The fact that sugar leads to cavities comes to no surprise for most people. Although, you may wonder, can sipping on soda really be that bad for my teeth? The answer is yes. There is this slogan, “Sip all day, get decay.” When you sip on soda throughout the day, the sugar mixes with the harmful bacteria in your mouth and forms acid, which is highly corrosive as it erodes your dental enamel. Even diet sodas contain this acid that eats away at your tooth enamel over time. On average, it takes about 20 minutes for the acid to begin attacking your teeth. Every time you take another sip, the attacks start over again.

Our teeth are naturally formed with an outer layer, know as enamel, but once eroded, teeth become more susceptible to decay and patients often experience tooth sensitivity or pain. It is important to protect the enamel on your teeth because once gone, it will not come back. Enamel is hard and durable, but the damage cannot be reversed. Many dental treatments can repair the damage caused by enamel erosion, but nothing is quite as good as your natural tooth enamel. Protecting your teeth to begin with is the better solution to good oral hygiene.

If you are a soda drinker, here are some solutions to kick your habit. Try not to sip on sodas throughout the day. Instead, drink one and be done. Also, rinse your mouth out with water afterwards, or better yet, brush your teeth when you are done. Limit your intake of sodas to only one per day, at the most. Try to drink fluoridated water instead of soda to ensure you remain hydrated throughout the day. Last, be sure to visit the dentist regularly for your checkups and cleanings.

To schedule your next visit, contact Hartrick Dentistry today. We welcome patients of Royal Oak and Birmingham MI.