What is Oral Cancer?
April is Oral Cancer Awareness Month. If you have been putting off a visit to our Apple Valley, MN office for your regular checkup, now is an excellent time to schedule one. Regular visits to Dalseth Family & Cosmetic Dentistry can be the first line of defense against oral cancer, by identifying early warning signs of the disease, or helping you with preventive care tips to lower your chances of developing it.
Oral Cancer Rates in America
Nearly 40,000 people in the U.S. will be diagnosed with oral cancer this year, and more than 8,000 die every year from this disease. It is a devastating illness: most people who are diagnosed with it do not live more than five years beyond their diagnosis. Oral cancer has a higher death rate than many other common cancers, including cervical cancer, testicular cancer, Hodgkin’s lymphoma, and thyroid or skin cancers. The high death rate results from the fact that most oral cancers go undiagnosed until the disease is well advanced and has spread to another part of the body—most often, the lymph nodes in the neck.
What Causes Oral Cancer
While there is no way to predict exactly which individuals will get oral cancer, there are some potential causes you should know about—because in some cases, you can minimize these risk factors.
- Age (most patients diagnosed with oral cancer are over the age of 40)
- Tobacco use, either from cigarettes or smokeless chewing tobacco
- Excessive alcohol consumption (especially in combination with tobacco use)
- Persistent viral infections, such as HPV16
- A diet low in fruits and vegetables
In addition, oral cancer tends to occur at a rate six times greater in men than in women, and more often for African Americans than other ethnic groups. No genetic links have been identified to explain the higher incidence in these populations, so lifestyle choices remain the likeliest cause.
Oral Cancer Treatments
Once a diagnosis has been made, treatment of oral cancer usually involves a multi-disciplinary team that includes surgeons, oncologists, dentists, nutritionists, and rehabilitation and restorative specialists. Our team will decide on the best approach for each patient, depending on the risk factors and how far the cancer has progressed. The strategy will be different in every case. Some of the most common methods include chemotherapy, radiation, and potential surgery.
Finding out you have cancer can be devastating news. If you are concerned that you might be at risk for developing oral cancer, talk to us about screenings and other things you can do to reduce your risk.
References:
The Oral Cancer Foundation. (2012). Oral Cancer Facts. Retrieved from http://oralcancerfoundation.org/.
Snoring may not be something you take seriously. You might even laugh or joke about it. But the fact is, anytime you or your partner snore to the point of waking, it could be a sign of serious health problems.
At our dental office, we prefer our patients to practice good oral hygiene between office visits. Part of that process includes flossing, which is the process of cleaning between the teeth to remove food and debris from the areas that are hard to reach with a toothbrush. When food is allowed to remain between the teeth, it provides a breeding ground for bacteria, which can cause periodontal disease.
Now that many of the schools are back in session, we would like to remind all of our patients about the importance of scheduling appointments in advance. With school, clubs, sports and family duties to consider, we know that it can be challenging to find time this fall.
This August marks the 34th anniversary for our hygienist Wanda. We are so lucky to have so many dedicated and loyal long term team members. Wanda has been with us the longest. I have been fortunate to know Wanda for all these years as I grew up around the practice with my dad, Dr. Dalseth. Wanda has two grown boys and this fall the youngest will be getting married, her and her husband are so excited for Bryce to start the next chapter in his life.
At Dalseth Family and Cosmetic Dentistry, we believe that oral health is just one part of overall wellness. Studies show that lack of proper oral hygiene can be linked to systemic disease, low birth weight babies, and potential cardiac disease. The body can also have a effect on the oral cavity. For example, diabetes can cause in increased risk of periodontal/ gum disease. A lot of different medications can effect our mouth most importantly causing dry mouth and thus putting us at risk for cavities, such medications may include those for high blood pressure, depression, and cholesterol.
In honor of June Dairy Month, our team would like to thank all of our hard working families in the Dairy Industry. You make us proud!
Here at Dalseth Family and Cosmetic Dentistry love to share news about the office, staff, and patients. Like a lot of people, Facebook is a great avenue to share and catch up on what is new. This month we celebrated 10 year anniversaries for 4 employees. I would also like to give a shout out to Dr. Todd Weber. We have had the privilege of having him work with us for the past 5 years. He has been a great addition to the team, including introducing orthodontics and Invisalign. When you come in next time make sure you congratulate him and ask him about braces.
Memorial Day weekend, a time to remember and honor the men and women lost while serving for our country. Memorial Day is also the unofficial start of summer, and for many folks getting out of town for three days after being cooped up in the classroom or the office spells sweet, sweet relief.