• Menu
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Before Header

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Snapchat
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
1101 Maidu Dr. #100, Auburn, CA 95603
Call Today! (530)-823-8771
Schedule Online

Auburn Dentist

Maidu Dental

Header Right

  • About
    • Meet Dr. Luminita Markham
    • Meet Dr. David Markham
    • Dental Team
  • Services
    • Preventative Dentistry
      • Dental Sealants
      • Fluoride Treatments
    • Restorative Dentistry
      • Dental Crowns
      • Dental Bridges
    • Tooth Extraction
    • Implants Treatment
      • Implant Overdentures
      • Multiple Tooth Dental Implants
      • Traditional Dentures
      • Bone Grafts
      • All-on-4®
      • Full Mouth Reconstruction
    • Root Canal
    • Orthodontics
      • Traditional Braces
      • Invisalign Clear Aligners
    • Cosmetic Dentistry
      • Porcelain Veneers
      • Dental Bonding
      • Teeth Whitening
    • Children Dental Care
    • Advanced Dental Technology
    • Emergency Dental Services
    • Gum Disease Treatment
    • Sleep Apnea Treatment
    • Oral Conscious Sedation
  • Patient Information
    • What Sets Us Apart
    • Patient Forms
    • Office Visits
    • Office Tour
    • Financial Information
    • Testimonials
    • Dental FAQs
  • Videos
  • Blog
  • COVID Safety
  • Contact
    • Appointment Request
    • Refer a Friend
  • Cities We Serve
    • Newcastle
      • Orthodontics
  • About
    • Meet Dr. Luminita Markham
    • Meet Dr. David Markham
    • Dental Team
  • Services
    • Preventative Dentistry
      • Dental Sealants
      • Fluoride Treatments
    • Restorative Dentistry
      • Dental Crowns
      • Dental Bridges
    • Tooth Extraction
    • Implants Treatment
      • Implant Overdentures
      • Multiple Tooth Dental Implants
      • Traditional Dentures
      • Bone Grafts
      • All-on-4®
      • Full Mouth Reconstruction
    • Root Canal
    • Orthodontics
      • Traditional Braces
      • Invisalign Clear Aligners
    • Cosmetic Dentistry
      • Porcelain Veneers
      • Dental Bonding
      • Teeth Whitening
    • Children Dental Care
    • Advanced Dental Technology
    • Emergency Dental Services
    • Gum Disease Treatment
    • Sleep Apnea Treatment
    • Oral Conscious Sedation
  • Patient Information
    • What Sets Us Apart
    • Patient Forms
    • Office Visits
    • Office Tour
    • Financial Information
    • Testimonials
    • Dental FAQs
  • Videos
  • Blog
  • COVID Safety
  • Contact
    • Appointment Request
    • Refer a Friend
  • Cities We Serve
    • Newcastle
      • Orthodontics

Mobile Menu

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

What You Should Know About Oral Cancer

January 30, 2018 //  by Dr. Luminita Markham

Auburn dentistAre you at risk of developing oral cancer? Early detection can increase your survival rate.

You know that your general dentist is an expert at helping you keep teeth and gums healthy, but did you know that she also checks for signs of oral cancer during routine visits? Most patients don’t even notice, but Auburn dentist Dr. Luminita Markham takes time during every routine check-up to look for visible changes in the soft tissues of your mouth and throat. She knows the early signs and symptoms of oral cancer and can be the first line of defense against this potentially deadly disease.

Has it been more than six months since you’ve seen a dentist? Call Maidu Dental at 530-823-8771 to make an appointment.

About Oral Cancer

This year approximately 35,720 men and 13,950 women in America will be diagnosed with oral cancer. The rate for oral cancer has remained steady in recent years, though there has been a slight increase in HPV-related cases. The good news, however, is that the five-year survival rate is 83 percent when the condition is detected and treated in its early stages. If the cancer has spread to surrounding tissues or organs, however, the survival rate drops to 63 percent.

Oral cancer can affect any soft tissues in the mouth, including the tongue, lips, palate, cheek, or throat. Some signs that may indicate oral cancer can be:

  • a change is the texture of any surface in your mouth
  • a swelling or lump that doesn’t go away in 14 days
  • pain or numbness in the lips or mouth
  • red or white patches in the mouth that do not heal
  • unusual bleeding or hoarseness
  • unexpected tooth mobility
  • an ulcer that doesn’t heal in 14 days
  • difficulty swallowing
  • pain when chewing or speaking

What Causes Oral Cancers?

It’s estimated that 75 percent of oral cancers are caused by preventable factors. This is usually habits or conditions that cause irritation in the mouth. The most well-known risk factor is tobacco products (such as cigarettes and cigars) that produce heat and smoke, which irritate the mouth and can lead to the gene mutations that cause the cancer. Smokeless tobacco is another equally dangerous irritant, and includes dip, snus, pouches, and chew tobacco. Other factors, such as poor oral hygiene, bacteria and viruses, and excessive alcohol consumption can have the same effect. Patients with gum disease may be at greater risk of developing oral cancer, due to the presence of bacteria and chronic inflammation of the gums. Even ill-fitting dentures can be a contributing factor, since they may cause ulceration and irritation in the mouth.

Silent Symptoms

One of the greatest dangers of oral cancer is the lack of any noticeable pain in the early stages. In fact, you may not see any changes at all, depending on the location of cancerous tissue. A small change—just a little bump that doesn’t go away—could actually be a cancerous growth. This is especially concerning, since early detection and treatment affect your chances for survival.

This is why it’s so important to attend your six-month visits with Dr. Markham. She is trained to look for the symptoms that you might not even notice. During your preventive visits, she will visually examine the inside of your mouth and feel the outside of your head and neck. If you are concerned about any changes to your mouth, throat, or lips, ask Dr. Markham to pay special attention to those areas as she completes the check-up. Dr. Markham follows the American Dental Association’s guidelines for head and neck exams, including all cancer evaluation protocols.

What You Can Do to Prevent Oral Cancer

  • Do not smoke or use tobacco products.
  • Do not consume alcohol excessively.
  • Maintain an effective oral hygiene routine every day (brush twice, floss once).
  • See your dentist every six months for preventive and restorative care.
  • Call us for an appointment if you notice any sores, lumps, or swelling that does not go away after 14 days.

Auburn dentist Luminita Markham provides preventive and restorative care for your teeth and gums, and she also screens you for oral cancers, using effective ADA protocols. If you have any risk factors for oral cancer, maintaining a regular schedule of dental visits is one of the smartest things you can do! Call us at 530-823-8771 to make an appointment.

Learn More About Oral Cancer

Oral and Orapharyngeal Cancer Statistics

American Dental Association (ADA). Mouthhealthy.org. Oral Cancer

Category: BlogTag: Auburn dentist, oral cancer, preventive visits

Previous Post: « Six-Month Visits Prevent Dental Catastrophes!
Next Post: 5 Reasons to Choose Us for Your Tooth Extraction »

Primary Sidebar

Make An Appointment

Recent Posts

  • Porcelain Veneers and Cosmetic Dentistry on the Rise
  • Most Asked Questions About Dental Veneers
  • What Does Getting Porcelain Veneers Involve?
  • What Are the Best Braces Colors?
  • How Do You Cure Bleeding Gums?

Archives

  • December 2022
  • November 2022
  • October 2022
  • September 2022
  • August 2022
  • July 2022
  • May 2022
  • April 2022
  • March 2022
  • February 2022
  • January 2022
  • December 2021
  • November 2021
  • October 2021
  • September 2021
  • August 2021
  • July 2021
  • June 2021
  • February 2021
  • July 2020
  • June 2020
  • April 2020
  • March 2020
  • February 2020
  • January 2020
  • December 2019
  • November 2019
  • October 2019
  • August 2019
  • July 2019
  • June 2019
  • May 2019
  • April 2019
  • March 2019
  • February 2019
  • January 2019
  • December 2018
  • November 2018
  • October 2018
  • September 2018
  • August 2018
  • July 2018
  • June 2018
  • May 2018
  • April 2018
  • March 2018
  • February 2018
  • January 2018
  • December 2017
  • December 2016
  • March 2016
  • February 2016
  • January 2016
  • December 2015
  • November 2015
  • October 2015
  • September 2015
  • August 2015
  • July 2015
  • June 2015
  • May 2015
  • April 2015

Footer

Maidu Dental

Our Auburn dental office serves residents of Auburn, Newcastle, Loomis, Granite Bay, Cool, Georgetown, Pilot Hill, Grass Valley, Colfax, Meadow Vista, Lake of the Pines, Nevada City and the surrounding communities.

  (530) 823-8771
 info@maidudental.com

Check out Our Reviews!

Office Hours

  • Monday: 8:00 am – 5:00 pm
  • Tuesday: 8:00 am – 5:00 pm
  • Wednesday: 8:00 am – 5:00 pm
  • Thursday: 7:00 am – 4:00 pm
  • Friday: 8:00 am – 3:00 pm

See our HIPAA Notice

Location

1101 Maidu Dr, Suite 100, Auburn, CA 95603

Copyright © 2023 · Auburn Dentist · All Rights Reserved