To prevent oral cancer make some simple lifestyle changes to reduce your risk of
oral cancer. These include the following.
- Look after your teeth and visit your dentist for regular check-ups.
-
Look for any changes in your mouth, such as sore patches or ulcers that don't heal,
and report them to your dentist.
- Don't smoke.
- Don't chew tobacco or use any tobacco products.
- Drink only in moderation.
-
Eat a healthy, balanced diet, with at least five portions of fruit and vegetables
a day.
- Protect your skin from sunlight. Wear a wide-brimmed hat to protect your face.
You can take an active role in detecting oral cancer early, should it occur, by
doing the following:
-
Conduct a self exam at least once a month. Using a bright light
and a mirror, look and feel your lips and front of your gums. Tilt your head back
and look at and feel the roof of your mouth. Pull your checks out to view the inside
of your mouth, the lining of your cheeks, and the back gums. Pull out your tongue
and look at all surfaces; examine the floor of your mouth. Look at the back of your
throat. Feel for lumps or enlarged lymph node sin both sides of your neck and under
your lower jaw. Call your dentist's immediately if you notice any changes in the
appearance of your mouth or any of the signs and symptoms mentioned above.
-
Visit OCF clinics on a regular schedule.Even though you may be
conducting frequent self exams, sometimes dangerous spots or sores in the mouth
can be very tiny and difficult to see on your own. We at OCF recommend oral cancer
screening exams every 3 years for persons over age 20 and annually for those over
age 40. During your next dental appointment, ask your dentist to perform an oral
exam. Early detection can improve the chance of successful treatment.
