We support healthy smiles and long, happy lives: The importance of detecting oral cancers early
Cancers of the mouth and throat can have a devastating effect on your life. However, it is important to understand that oral and pharyngeal cancer also responds well to therapies when detected early with routine screening. Additionally, Advanced Dental partners with patients from across the Aliso Viejo, California, area to minimize their unique risk factors for developing this condition in the first place.
Am I at risk?
You may be! Our dentists, Drs Chitra Tiruveedula and Joseph C. Yang, get to know you and any changes in your health and life that could impact your oral health. These risk factors include smoking and the use of tobacco products. They also include excessive alcohol consumption, poor nutrition, carrying around excess weight, advancing age, HPV infections, and exposure to UV light from the sun or tanning beds. Men are also twice as likely to develop cancers of the mouth (oral cavity) and throat (pharynx) than women. We work with you to identify and manage those risks that can be controlled, and many of these modifications benefit your mouth and your entire body. So, they are often good habits to get into!
Why is early detection important?
No one wants to get a cancer diagnosis, obviously. However, not unlike other cancers, these growths have far better outcomes when they are detected and treated at the “local” stage before cancer has spread to different parts of the mouth, face, head, neck, and more distant tissues and organs. For example, the American Cancer Society reports that the 5-year survival rate for localized lip cancers is 94%. However, survival rates stand at 63% and 38% for regional and distant cancers treated after they have spread to nearby and far away structures such as the lymph nodes and lungs, respectively.
How do you find cancers early?
Oral cancer screenings are easily integrated into your regular dental visits. During an appointment, your dentist visually inspects for trouble signs. These potential red flags might include:
- Persistent or recurrent sores that never really seem to heal or go away
- White or red patches
- Lumps or areas of swelling and thickened tissue
- Facial asymmetry or drooping
Your dentist will also feel for potential anomalies by gently touching or examining the mouth and neck. You may be asked to move your tongue and perform other functions, as symptoms are not limited to those that affect your appearance. It’s also important to contact us immediately if you notice changes in how dentures, retainers, or other oral appliances fit or if you have noticed problems with swallowing or chewing, numbness, or a feeling that something is “stuck” inside your throat. Frequent sore throats and vocal changes, like hoarseness, should be mentioned to your friends at Advanced Dental, too.
What if you find something suspicious?
Do not worry! We can often rule out these cancers as the source of many irregularities. However, if we are concerned about an area, a small bit of tissue may be taken from that spot. This biopsy service is performed to take a closer look at the tissue. We also enlist other specialists to get you the prompt, specialized, and professional care you deserve, which could add many meaningful years to your life. So, do not ignore the trouble signs or delay scheduling an appointment if you are overdue. Contact our Aliso Viejo, CA team today at (949) 289-9993.
Dr. Chitra Tiruveedula
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Dr. Chitra Tiruveedula has been practicing dentistry for over 20 years. After advanced training at Case Western Reserve University and Cleveland Clinic in Ohio, she relocated to Orange County, CA in 2015. Dr. Chitra is a member of the American Dental Association and California Dental Association. Committed to continuous education, she provides top-quality dental services using the latest advancements.
Dr. Joseph C. Yang
Dr. Joseph C. Yang has over 30 years of dental practice experience. He earned his B.S. from Washington University in St. Louis, MO, and his D.D.S. from the University of Illinois, Chicago. He then had a distinguished 30-year career as a U.S. Naval Dental Officer, including a residency in Periodontology at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center. Dr. Yang is a diplomate of the American Board of Periodontology and a member of the American Dental Association and American Academy of Periodontology. As a board-certified Periodontist, he has performed thousands of successful periodontal and implant procedures. He is also a renowned lecturer and trainer in the latest implant and periodontal techniques worldwide.