Oral Cancer: Symptoms And Treatment

Cancer is an outcome of altered cell growth. The growth of abnormal cells in the body results in the formation of a mass or a lump. This lump is commonly known as a tumor. Cancer cells can spread to other parts of the body as well. This condition is termed as metastasis. 

On the development of oral cancer, you will start to notice certain changes in your body and experience a continuous toothache. It is best to consult a dentist in Long Island to get the problem diagnosed and seek timely treatment. 

Oral cancer targets the throat or mouth. Oral cancer is a fairly common disease. It can be easily cured if detected at an early stage. If diagnosed properly, the dentist will be able to assess the symptoms at an early stage and suggest proper aftercare measures. This is possible because the mouth can be easily examined and any outgrowths can be identified.  

Categories of oral cancer

Oral cancer can be categorized as: 

• Verrucous Carcinoma
• Salivary gland tumors
• Squamous cell carcinoma

Symptoms of oral cancer

Uneven growth in the mouth could be because of an underlying disease or the formation of cancerous cells in the mouth. Below mentioned are some of the symptoms of oral cancer: 

• Lump in the lips
• Lump in the throat
• Constant uneasiness in the throat
• Pain while swallowing 
• Pain in the mouth while chewing
• Excessive weight loss
• Altered voice
• Continuous pain the ear

Many of the above-mentioned symptoms can be a result of an underlying health problem that requires immediate medical attention. It is recommended that you visit a Dentist in Long Island for diagnosis and treatment.

Can the symptoms of oral cancer be controlled? 

Without proper diagnosis and treatment, it can be very difficult to control the symptoms of oral cancer. However, there are certain precautions that you can take to prevent the symptoms and lessen the pain. Some of the preventive measures are mentioned below: 

• Stay away from UV rays
• Get your dentures fixed properly
• Avoid consuming tobacco
• Quit alcohol and smoking
• Consume green leafy vegetables
• Consume lots of fluids  

Treatment of oral cancer

Treatment for oral cancer depends on the type of cancer that you are suffering from. This is also dependent on the stage of cancer. It is best to consult your Dentist in Long Island for further treatment. Make sure that you talk about the potential side-effects and risks associated with the procedure. 

Treatment options: 

• Chemotherapy
• Supportive care
• Surgery
• Radiation treatment
• Targeted therapy  

Make sure you elaborate each and every symptom that you are facing to the dentist in Long Island. You must delay diagnosis as it could worsen the condition. Early detection is the best cure to treat oral cancer. 

Oral health facts & tips: Tooth whitening

Teeth whitening in Long Island is a controversial topic in the world of dentistry. It is a very famous service provided by a lot of professionals especially by cosmetic dentists, but some see it as a potential health hazard if done too much or incorrectly.

Unfortunately, it is also provided by a lot of nonprofessionals who are not qualified to carry out such procedures. Furthermore, there is also a lot of misinformation on this topic on the internet making it difficult for people to consult a dentist who is interested in getting their teeth whitened. And as usual, the truth lies somewhere in the middle.

Here, we separate fact from fiction and help you learn more about teeth whitening in Long Island. 

1. There are a lot of things that change the natural color of your teeth. Drinks and food such as coffee, tea, and red wine can stain your teeth over time. Moreover, people who smoke quite often also see a significant change in their teeth color. Genetics may also influence how bright your teeth are.
2. Some people may have staining under the surface. This can be a result of some antibiotics or small cracks in the teeth that absorb stains
3. If plaque is not removed regularly by flossing and brushing, it hardens to form calculus. Calculus, also known as tartar can also have an impact on the color of your teeth.
4. Regardless of your stains, the natural color of your teeth is set at birth. The only thing a whitening product can do is remove all the stains that have assembled over time.
5. The effects of whitening are thought to last up to three years. Nevertheless, this may differ from patient to patient. If you eat or drink colored foods or smoke, there are chances that the whitening may not last for long. Hence, it is important to take care of your teeth.
6. In the UK, tooth whitening products you can buy over-the-counter can only legally include 0.1% hydrogen peroxide. This concentration is too low to have any noticeable effect on the color of the teeth.
7. Tooth whitening can only lighten your existing tooth color and won’t be able to get rid of deep stains.
8. You can help keep your teeth white by cutting down on the amount of food and drinks you have that can stain teeth. Don't forget, stopping smoking can also help prevent discoloration and staining of the teeth.

Tooth whitening carried out by anybody other than a qualified dentist or hygienist is illegal. Don’t put your health at risk, you cannot put a price on that.