April is national oral cancer awareness month, which raises awareness on oral cancer screenings and facial protection. Facial protection meaning promoting and using protective gear, such as mouth guards and helmets to help prevent dental facial injuries from sports and recreational activities.
Did you know according to ADA’s consumer report, over 51,000 people are diagnosed with cancers of the mouth, throat, tonsils and tongue each year. We incorporate oral cancer screenings at every check up, however we encourage everyone to practice and complete at home at home as well.
Oral Cancer Home Screening
- Head and neck: Look at your face and neck for any lumps, bumps, or swelling that is only on one side of your face.
- Face: examine your skin on your face look for any changes in color or size, sores, moles, or growths.
- Neck: press along the sides and front of the neck for any tenderness or lumps.
- Lips: Pull your lower lip down and check for any sores or color changes. Use your thumb and finger to feel the lip for any lumps, bumps, or changes in texture. Repeat this same step for your upper lip.
- Cheek: examine your inner cheeks for red, white or dark patches. Put your index finger on the inside of your cheek and your thumb on the outside. Gently squeeze and roll both sides of your cheeks between your fingers and check for any lumps, bumps or tenderness.
- Roof of the mouth: tilt your head back and open your mouth examine the are and look for any signs of discoloration, lumps you can also touch for check for bumps.
- Floor of your mouth & Tongue: extend your tongue and look at the top surface for color and texture. Pull your tongue forward to look at both sides. Examine the underside of the tongue for color changes. Lumps or swelling.
Our health is very important, take all steps necessary to educate, inform and complete tests at home. If you have any questions or concerns or would like to learn more call our office today.
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