At Clifton Dental Studio, we encourage all of our patients to come to regular oral cancer screening appointments. Oral cancer is often only diagnosed at an advanced stage; however we use the latest technology that allows us to spot early signs of oral cancer before they’re visible to the naked eye.
What causes oral cancer?
The main risk factors for oral cancer are smoking, drinking alcohol an exposure to a sexually transmitted infection known as human papillomavirus (HPV). Poor diet can also increase the risk of oral cancer. People that smoke and drink regularly are up to 30% more likely to develop cancer than a non-smoker who doesn’t drink.
Symptoms of oral cancer
The most common signs of oral cancer are white or red patches in the mouth, abnormal swelling or lumps in the mouth or throat, and ulcers that take longer than 2 weeks to heal. Other symptoms include prolonged periods of hoarseness and a constant sore throat.
What is oral cancer screening?
Oral cancer screening involves a short, painless test which searches for abnormal tissue and changes in the oral tissue that could be associated with oral cancer. This test enables us to detect oral cancer in its earlier stages, meaning that there is a much higher survival rate.
You may well have gone through some trials and tribulations during your life, but one major battle that you will have to face in Bristol is if you are diagnosed with oral cancer. It will sap every last drop of energy to beat it, but if you are determined to get through this, you can do it, so long as it is caught early on, you are prepared to change your ways and get a good support team in place one you have had treatment. You know when things are going wrong in your mouth, but if you have had things going on for a long time, you should really get it checked out and get some tests done. If the diagnosis is what was feared, then you need to get yourself strapped in and ready for the fight. Once you have gone through the operation, you will then need to sit down after and find a way of curbing everything that got you into this position in the first place- everything needs to improve, from diet to oral hygiene. The biggest ray of light is that recovery rates from this illness are getting better by the year. If you have concerns, give Clifton Dental a call; they can give you all the advice you need on this topic.
Getting over problems that go wrong with your mouth can always be problematic, but most are easily solved in time….which is not the case with oral cancer as this is a very traumatic condition to suffer from; though take heart from the fact that if you catch it early, it is easily beaten. The thing you have to look out for is things that go wrong in your mouth and then linger for weeks, things like cold sores on the lips, ulcers on the gums, constant jaw aches and sore throats and then get yourself down for some tests with your dentist or doctor- it may be nothing, or it could be something, so never take chances, and if you have been diagnosed with oral cancer, then you have to turn everything in your life on its head that has gone before and embrace a new life in the future. The operations may take different forms in order to remove the cancer, from chemo, radio or actual physical surgery, but that is only part of the battle; it is how you recover from these treatments that are important both psychologically and physically. You will be set up with a nursing team that will support your needs, but having friends and family on board is vital for moral support. If you have any worries about this topic, telephone or go and see the Clifton Dental Studio over in Bristol: these people are superb in all fields of dentistry and oral cancer and you are lucky that they serve the Weston-super-Mare area.
Sometimes, a condition can seem to hang around in your mouth for weeks, a sore throat, an ulcer, or a jaw-ache to name a few, and whatever you try to do to shake off the problem, it seems to stay. This is the time to take action because this is not normal, and it is considered that this could indicate something more sinister going on- namely oral cancer. Now it could be nothing at all and you could be just a little run down, but you want to know what is causing it because if it is oral cancer, you have a better chance of beating if you catch it in its early stages. The people considered most likely to get the disease are firstly those who are a bit wayward with their lifestyle, smokers, heavy drinkers and those who are unhealthy and reckless with their diet; also at risk are people that suffer from a lot of stress. If you fall into this group and are suffering from the aforementioned symptoms, you need to go for a check-up. It won’t take long, just a few swabs and blood tests in order to ascertain if you have oral cancer. If you have, then you are in for a battle, not just from getting through the treatment, but going through recovery afterwards as well. Be strong and be brave: there are people out there who can help you, as well as friends and family. If you want to know all about the threat to you from oral cancer in Bristol, then pop along and have a chat with the people who work at the Clifton dental studio.
Oral cancer still has the ability to floor anyone who is diagnosed with it like no other disease can in Bristol, but even though the number of cases reported is still on the rise, the condition is starting to lose its grip over humanity, because the amount of people recovering successfully from the disease is also on the increase. Still, that’s still cold comfort for anyone who has it. You’d think that prolific smokers and drinkers are the main casualties of the disease, not so, which is why it is such a difficult problem to get to the bottom of. Of course, these habits don’t help your cause, but nor again does a poor diet. A good diet can help strengthen your immune system and help protect you from disease- but cancer? Again we don’t really know. But there are signs you should look out for, signs that should be obvious anyway when you feel that something is going wrong in your mouth. Things like ulcers and sore seem to stick around, in fact if any condition that won’t go away needs looking at and if the worst is realized, you are going to be in for some serious treatment, the level of which depending on how far the disease is advanced. Strangely, the biggest shock will come in the aftermath of it all- when you are recovering, because you have to change for the better and you need friends, nutritionists and doctors on your side in order that the disease doesn’t re-offend. The people at Clifton Dental can help with any questions you may have about oral cancer.
Out all the things that could go wrong in your mouth, the one that strikes instant revulsion and fear into any person is oral cancer. It is a terrifying condition that is on the increase in Bristol, yet so are the chances of recovering from it, if it is caught and treated early. Clifton Dental can offer you every scrap of information about the disease in order for you to avoid it. There is no real set of rules when it comes to the causes of oral cancer, yet there are certain things you should be aware of. A strong immune system thrives on a healthy diet, but if it is weak, it cannot help to protect the body, and it doesn’t help if you are throwing copious amount of alcohol and nicotine at it. A golden rule about spotting the problem is that if any condition persists in the mouth that is uncomfortable, painful or doesn’t feel right, then get yourself checked out immediately. If after being tested you show signs of a problem, then you will have to go in for treatment which can take various forms from radio/chemotherapy to physical surgery in order to remove anything offensive. But the fight just doesn’t stop there, as after the treatment, it may also be just as frightening in the recovery as well, as you go through a period where the disease could return, but it’s during this period where you need to turn your old life on its head and start a completely new regime- one that is far removed from the lifestyle that got you into this state in the first place and that will enable your body to fight harder for you in the future.
One of many conditions in the mouth you should try to avoid in Bristol is oral cancer so you should read up on as much about it as you can and also talk to some professionals about the problem- Clifton dental is only too willing to help you out. All people are different, and their bodies react differently, which is why it is difficult to put a definite reason behind oral cancer. But, with common sense, there should be things that you should avoid and some things you should look out for. If you are generally unfit and have a poor immune system because of a poor diet, you are already vulnerable to problems; combine this with smoking, drinking, fast foods and poor oral hygiene, you are simply inviting oral cancer into your mouth. So to give yourself a chance, you should really change your lifestyle. However, you know when things aren’t right in your mouth so if you suffer from ailments such as neck and jaw aches, sore throats, and repetitive sores or just know that something is wrong, you should get yourself tested as soon as you can, even if it’s only for peace of mind. One of the reasons there is a lot of success in the treatment of oral cancer is that the disease is beatable if caught early on. If you are unlucky enough to be diagnosed, you should embrace a new regime and all the medical support you can get.
Whether you live in Bristol or Bangor, no-one likes to hear the word cancer. Oral cancer is one of the varieties that most people do not think will affect them but unfortunately it is currently on the rise in the UK.
Figures from Cancer Research UK in March showed that with 6,200 cases this year, cases have increased significantly from the 4,400 cases a decade ago. Two-thirds of the sufferers are men.
Perhaps unsurprisingly, most cases are still linked to smoking but smoking is less common than before so there are other factors explaining the rise. Alcohol misuse and the spread of the human papillomavirus (HPV) infection are thought to be possible explanations for the increase. However, HPV sufferers are less likely to find their cancer fatal than smokers.
Almost eight of every ten people in the UK are affected with HPV at some point in their lives but this rarely leads to oral cancer. These tend to affect younger people who are also more likely to get the problem fixed with a visit to the dentist. On the other hand, oral cancer usually takes about a decade to develop.
The best way to avoid oral cancer is to moderate drinking and smoking habits, but this should always be matched by regular check-ups at your dentist. Every six months is a good estimate for most people to visit their dentist but this can vary depending on your specific needs. Your dentist will give your mouth a going over to make sure there is no damage which needs taking care of. The earlier you discover any problems, the more likely you will be able to do something about it. So keep brushing your teeth and keep visiting your dentist and we should be able to keep this at bay!
Cancer is one of the most prevalent diseases in the world today, and although oral cancer isn’t one of the most common forms of the disease, it is one of the most easily recognised and diagnosed. This is all thanks to your local dentist. The dental practitioners at your local clinic have all been trained to recognise the symptoms of oral cancer. With an early diagnosis, oral cancer can be treated and prevented from spreading around the body.
Patches of white, red or a mixture of the both on your tongue or in the floor of your mouth suggest early stages of oral cancer. Additional symptoms include: sores, earache, loose or lost teeth, extensive bleeding or a lump in your neck.
The people at risk from developing oral cancer tend to be individuals who smoke, consume large amounts of alcohol on a regular basis and who eat high levels of processed foods as these all contain carcinogens that can cause a cancerous tumour to develop.
Treatment for oral cancer begins with a biopsy of your tumour in order to find out the stage of your cancer. Through surgery, the bulk of the tumour will be removed from the oral cavity, following which, additional therapies may begin. Radiotherapy, chemotherapy and anti-cancer drugs are all used to try and combat this deadly disease.
As with all cancers, early diagnosis is key. The sooner your dentist notices a symptom of oral cancer, the sooner he can arrange treatment for you. It is therefore absolutely essential that one learns all they can through Clifton Dental and maintain regular dental check-ups with their local dentist in Bristol.
What with one in three Britons alive today likely to be directly affected by cancer, it is necessary to do everything we can to guard against it. This not only involves making the right life style choices but also involving medical professionals in our health so that any early signs of cancer can be spotted. Thanks to advances in treatments, many of the worst aspects of cancer can be successfully avoided if an early diagnosis is achieved.
Signs of oral cancer can be spotted by your local Bath dentist during a six month check up. They have been trained to examine your mouth with oral cancer in mind they will be looking out for indicators such as rusty coloured patches inside the mouth. You can inspect your mouth too after you have brushed your teeth by feeling for hardened patches. Sudden, unexplained weight loss is also sign of several cancers and should be reported to your dentist or general practitioner (GP).
Oral cancer occurs in more men than it does women in the United Kingdom. But that does not mean, of course, that women ought to be complacent. Those who smoke and regularly consume alcohol to excess are the highest risk and oral cancer represents just another reason why these habits can be bad for you.
Your dentist will need to refer you to an oncologist if he or she suspects that cancer might be present in your mouth. Oral cancer is a very serious condition and can result in fatality but the recovery rates are fairly good if an early diagnosis is made. It might not be something that you think about very often in your every day life but it is worth considering next time you are making an appointment for a check up with the dentist.
Dr Gerrard is a Bristol based Cosmetic dentist with many years of experience and is one of only a small number of dentists accredited by The British Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry
You may well have gone through some trials and tribulations during your life, but one major battle that you will have to face in Bristol is if you are diagnosed with oral cancer. It will sap every last drop of energy to beat it, but if you are determined to get through this, you can do it, so long as it is caught early on, you are prepared to change your ways and get a good support team in place one you have had treatment. You know when things are going wrong in your mouth, but if you have had things going on for a long time, you should really get it checked out and get some tests done. If the diagnosis is what was feared, then you need to get yourself strapped in and ready for the fight. Once you have gone through the operation, you will then need to sit down after and find a way of curbing everything that got you into this position in the first place- everything needs to improve, from diet to oral hygiene. The biggest ray of light is that recovery rates from this illness are getting better by the year. If you have concerns, give Clifton Dental a call; they can give you all the advice you need on this topic.
Getting over problems that go wrong with your mouth can always be problematic, but most are easily solved in time….which is not the case with oral cancer as this is a very traumatic condition to suffer from; though take heart from the fact that if you catch it early, it is easily beaten. The thing you have to look out for is things that go wrong in your mouth and then linger for weeks, things like cold sores on the lips, ulcers on the gums, constant jaw aches and sore throats and then get yourself down for some tests with your dentist or doctor- it may be nothing, or it could be something, so never take chances, and if you have been diagnosed with oral cancer, then you have to turn everything in your life on its head that has gone before and embrace a new life in the future. The operations may take different forms in order to remove the cancer, from chemo, radio or actual physical surgery, but that is only part of the battle; it is how you recover from these treatments that are important both psychologically and physically. You will be set up with a nursing team that will support your needs, but having friends and family on board is vital for moral support. If you have any worries about this topic, telephone or go and see the Clifton Dental Studio over in Bristol: these people are superb in all fields of dentistry and oral cancer and you are lucky that they serve the Weston-super-Mare area.
