How Does Cancer Treatment Affect Your Mouth?
Certain oral complications may occur as a result of cancer treatments. Visiting a trusted dental professional before beginning treatment for cancer can help you develop a plan that keeps your oral health in tip-top shape.
Some cancer therapy side-effects you'll need to look out for include:
- Tooth decay and gum disease
- Inflammation in the mouth
- Dry mouth
- Dehydration
- Loss or changes in taste
- Mouth and jaw pain
Signs of Oral Cancer
Oral cancer develops in the lips, tongue, inner cheeks, gums, the floor of the mouth, throat and sinuses. An oral cancer screening should be part of a routine oral exam. Schedule an appointment with a dental professional if any of the following oral cancer symptoms last more than two weeks:
- Mouth pain
- Lip or mouth sores that don't heal
- Difficulty swallowing
- Soreness in the back of the throat
- Lumps in the mouth
- Loose teeth
- Oral thrush
- Loss of feeling in the mouth
- Ear pain
Practicing Good Oral Hygiene
Proper oral hygiene behaviors for reducing risks for oral cancer may include the following:
- Brushing your teeth twice a day
- Using a tongue scraper once a day
- Rinsing with an antimicrobial mouth wash
- Having an oral cancer screening by your dental professional at check-up appointments
Cancer awareness days are a valuable tool for combating some of the world's most serious issues. Whether you donate money to charitable foundations, volunteer your time, or spread the word about a cause you care about, contributions of every size have a real impact on decreasing cancer prevalence—and that's something to smile about for everyone.