April is Oral Health Month, a great time to raise awareness for oral cancer. Oral cancer is most often discovered after it has spread to the lymph nodes of the neck, at which point the prognosis and survival rate become much worse. Early detection is key to surviving oral cancer.
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Oral cancer can occur on the lips, gums, tongue, inner lining of the cheeks, roof or floor of the mouth, salivary glands and the back of the throat.
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Signs and symptoms:
❗️unexplained bleeding in the mouth
❗️changes in taste or tongue sensation
❗️lumps on the lips, tongue or neck
❗️sore or patches in the mouth that do not heal
❗️changes in texture or colour of oral tissue
❗️a sore throat that is persistent and/or difficulty swallowing
❗️dark red or white patches in the mouth, lips or tongue
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Risk factors that can increase your risk of oral cancer:
♦️tobacco use
♦️heavy alcohol use
♦️excessive sun exposure to your lips
♦️human papillomavirus (HPV)
♦️weakened immune system

Your dentist can play an important role in early detection. The oral cancer screening done by your dentist during a routine dental exam is fast, easy and painless - and it could save your life!
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