This is the first day of Oral Cancer Awareness Month. You don’t want to be a fool when it comes to this disease. Here are some tips from our team on how you can protect yourself.
Don’t Use Tobacco
By now, it’s common knowledge that tobacco increases your risk of many kinds of cancer. That includes oral cancers. Tobacco use is the leading cause of oral cancer. Quitting or better yet avoiding tobacco can greatly reduce your risk of this disease.
Get Vaccinated
For 99 percent of people, HPV has no harmful effect. For 1 percent of the population, HPV can lead to oral and other cancers. The good news is that vaccines exist that can protect against HPV. To find out if you or your loved ones are eligible, talk to your family doctor.
Visit the Dentist
Your routine dental cleanings are important for your long-term oral health. While you are here, our team will be watching for anything unusual, such as white, red, or speckled patches of soft tissue in your mouth and lumps and bumps. If you haven’t scheduled your next dental exam yet, do so today. Call LakeCrest Dental in Broken Arrow, OK at 918-205-4492 or fill out our online form.