Mouth Cancer Awareness
November is not only the month when we celebrate Thanksgiving and spend time with loved ones, but it is also the month when we recognize Mouth Cancer Awareness. This month is dedicated to the knowledge and awareness of oral and mouth cancers. Any type of cancer cells found on the lips, tongue, cheek, and gums is considered mouth cancer. We stress the importance of routine oral care, not only to look for decay, but also because we inspect your mouth for signs of cancer during your appointment.
Risk Factors
Unfortunately, you may be contributing to your likelihood of developing mouth cancer in the future. There are a number of risk factors to be mindful of when living your daily life. While these factors do not always contribute to a mouth cancer diagnosis, being aware can give you time to make necessary healthy changes to your lifestyle to help avoid a problem in the future. Risk factors for mouth and oral cancer include:
Smoking and Using Chewing Tobacco
The negative effects of smoking and chewing tobacco on your oral health have been known for many years. You may be surprised to learn that secondhand smoke can also lead to a mouth cancer diagnosis.
Unhealthy Diet
Be sure to eat a healthy diet and try to consume foods that are rich in Omega-3 fatty acids, like fish, nuts, certain oils, and eggs. An unhealthy diet does nothing to help fight off cancer cells that are developing.
Lack of Protection from the Sun
Don’t forget to protect your lips when you are out in the sun for long periods of time. When applying sunscreen to your body, it is easy to forget to apply protection to your lips as well. A lack of protection can cause cancerous cells to develop on your lips and just inside them.
If you think that you have any of the risk factors mentioned above, please call our office located in New Braunfels, TX to schedule your next appointment. It is important to be current on your cleanings and take care of any treatments you have been putting off. We hope to see you soon.
