Oral Cancer Awareness Month: What You Need to Know to Protect Your Smile

April is Oral Cancer Awareness Month—a time to shine a light on an important, but often overlooked, aspect of your health: your mouth. While brushing, flossing, and regular checkups help keep your teeth and gums in great shape, they also play a critical role in spotting early signs of something much more serious, oral cancer.

Now, we know the word cancer can be scary. But knowledge is power, and early detection saves lives. That’s why we’re taking a moment this month to share what you should know about oral cancer and how you can protect yourself and your loved ones.

What Is Oral Cancer?

Oral cancer refers to cancers that occur in the mouth, lips, tongue, throat, and even the sinuses. It can affect anyone, but certain factors, like tobacco use, heavy alcohol consumption, HPV infection, and excessive sun exposure to the lips, can increase your risk.

The good news? When caught early, oral cancer is highly treatable. That’s why regular dental visits are more important than ever, we’re not just checking your teeth, we’re looking at your overall oral health, too.

What Are the Warning Signs?

Oral cancer doesn’t always come with pain or noticeable symptoms, especially early on. But here are a few signs to watch for:

• A sore in your mouth that doesn’t heal
  
• Red or white patches on your gums, tongue, or cheeks
  
• A lump or thickening in the cheek
  
• Difficulty chewing, swallowing, or moving your jaw or tongue
  
• Persistent sore throat or hoarseness
  

If something feels “off” and doesn’t go away within two weeks, it’s always a good idea to have it checked out.

How We Help During Your Dental Visit

During every routine dental exam, we perform an oral cancer screening. It’s quick, painless, and could be lifesaving. We examine your mouth, tongue, throat, and neck for anything unusual. If we notice something that doesn’t look right, we’ll guide you through the next steps, whether that’s monitoring or referring you to a specialist.

What You Can Do

In addition to keeping up with your regular dental visits, here are a few simple ways to lower your risk:

• Avoid all tobacco products
  
• Drink alcohol in moderation
  
• Use lip balm with SPF when out in the sun
  
• Eat a healthy, balanced diet rich in fruits and vegetables
  
• Practice good oral hygiene
  

And most importantly, stay aware. If you ever notice a change in your mouth, don’t ignore it.

Let’s Spread the Word

Oral Cancer Awareness Month is a great opportunity to talk with friends and family about the importance of oral health. At Fairfield Dental Arts, we make it a priority to check not only your teeth and gums, but also your entire mouth to make sure your oral health is in good shape. Encourage your loved ones to schedule regular dental checkups and pay attention to their mouths. It could make all the difference.