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Posts Tagged ‘oral cancer’

Did You Know How Much Stopping Smoking Will Help Your Teeth?

Tuesday, August 15th, 2017

It may not be the start of a brand new year, but that doesn’t mean that you can’t make a resolution to try and give up smoking. Most of the time, we associate quitting with benefits for the heart and lungs, but did you know that giving up smoking can also do wonders for your oral health?

What effects does smoking have on oral health?

Smoking has a detrimental impact on almost every organ in the body, and it can be very harmful for your oral health. Smoking increases the risk of gum disease because it reduces blood flow to the gums. It can also increase the risk of implant failure and increase healing time after dental treatment. Smoking also stains the teeth and it causes bad breath.

One of the most important considerations for those giving up smoking is reducing the risk of developing cancer. We tend to think about lung cancer when the subject of smoking crops up, but smoking is also the main risk factor for many other types of cancer, including mouth cancer. Mouth cancer affects the soft tissue in the mouth and throat and the number of cases diagnosed in the UK has increased by a third in the last ten years.

Help with giving up smoking

Giving up smoking is no walk in the park. At Liverpool Dental Spa, we understand that quitting is really difficult and we are here to advise you, offer you help and support and also encourage you along the way. If you’d like help with giving up smoking, give us a ring today or contact us through the website. Our experienced dental team will be happy to help.

Know the Signs of Oral Cancer: Common Symptoms To Look For

Monday, March 20th, 2017

Oral cancer is becoming increasingly common in the UK, yet many people are still unaware of the warning signs and symptoms. As a result of this, many cases are diagnosed at an advanced stage, when treatment has a much lower chance of success. At Liverpool Dental Spa, we’re keen to do our bit to raise awareness of oral cancer, and encourage our patients to be mouth aware.

The Signs and Symptoms of Oral Cancer

Oral cancer is a form of cancer that affects the soft tissue in the mouth and throat. The most common warning signs include:

  • Red or white patches in the mouth
  • Abnormal swelling
  • Lumps
  • Difficult swallowing
  • Unexplained pain
  • Ulcers that take a long time to heal (longer than 2 weeks)
  • A persistent sore throat

Oral Cancer Screening

It can often be difficult to detect the signs of oral cancer, and many people will ignore them without being aware that they may be linked to mouth cancer. Oral cancer screening is a way of spotting signs before they become apparent. Our dentists are trained to detect early warning signs, and they include oral cancer screening as part of a routine check-up.

If there are problems, further tests can be arranged. The earlier oral cancer is diagnosed, the higher the chance of survival. In some cases, early detection and treatment can increase survival chances by up to 90 percent.

If you haven’t been to the dentist for a while, we strongly encourage you to call and make an appointment for a routine check. It’ll take just a few minutes, and it could even save your life!

What Causes Oral Cancer?

In many cases of cancer, there is no clear cause. However, with oral cancer, there are risk factors. The most significant risk factor is smoking. Additional risk factors include drinking alcohol excessively and a poor diet. There is also evidence to suggest that HPV infection may increase the risk of oral cancer.

Mouth Cancer Action Month – Why You Should Get Screened

Wednesday, November 16th, 2016

November is Mouth Cancer Action Month and we’re encouraging all our patients to arrange a screening check. Screening is a means of identifying early warning signs, which may not become apparent to the patient until much later. Early detection can increase the chances of successful treatment significantly.

About oral cancer

Oral cancer, also known as mouth cancer, is a form of cancer that affects the soft tissue in the mouth and throat. Many people are still unaware of the causes and symptoms of mouth cancer, even though the number of cases in the UK has increased by more than a third in the last decade. The aim of Mouth Cancer Action Month is to get people talking about mouth cancer, and inform them about the symptoms they should be looking out for.

Signs of oral cancer include red or white patches in the mouth or throat, any abnormal lumps or swelling, difficulty swallowing, a persistent sore throat and lesions or ulcers that take a long time (more than two weeks) to heal. The main risk factors are smoking, drinking regularly, a poor diet and exposure to HPV (human papilloma virus) infection.

What does screening involve?

Screening is a simple check, which enables your dentist to look out for early warning signs. Dentists are trained to notice changes in the mouth and throat, which may be indicative of mouth cancer. If there is a suspicion, your dentist can refer you for further tests. There may be absolutely nothing to worry about but it’s always best to be on the safe side. Your dentist can also talk to you about the symptoms of oral cancer, and help you to reduce your risk of developing this potentially deadly disease.

If you have any questions about mouth cancer, our team will be happy to help.

All You Need to Know About Oral Cancer Screening

Tuesday, August 2nd, 2016

What are the causes of oral cancer?

There have been numerous risk factors attributed to the development of oral cancer, including:

  • Smoking
  • Drinking
  • HPV virus

What are the symptoms of oral cancer?

The signs of oral cancer can vary from person to person and often depend on how far the disease has progressed. However, symptoms to look out for include:

  • White and red patches in the mouth and on the tongue and lips
  • Sores that take a great deal longer than normal to clear
  • Pain in the mouth or neck

If you have any of these symptoms and think you may be at risk, make an appointment to visit your dentist right away.

Once possible instances of cancer have been found we can plan the next step and have you treated as soon as possible.

If you would like an oral cancer screening and form more information please call the practice, we treat patients from throughout Liverpool and the UK, so feel free to stop buy wherever you’re from.

Early Diagnosis for Oral Cancer Could Save Your Life

Monday, October 12th, 2015

Avoid oral cancer with regular visits to Liverpool dentists

Your dentist is trained to thoroughly examine your mouth for signs of tooth decay and gum disease.  They will be looking out for any sign of excessive plaque which can damage your teeth.  What many people don’t know is that dentists are also trained to spot early signs of oral cancer.  This condition has a fairly high survival rate but it must be caught early in order for it to be treated effectively – just one more reason to visit your dentist regularly.

Those who smoke or regularly drink alcohol to excess are at a higher risk of contracting oral cancer and the disease is more prevalent in men than women. But even if you are not in a high risk category it is worth being vigilant about it so you don’t fall ill.

Your dentist will be on the look out for rusty red patches on your gums and the soft tissue of your mouth.  You too can be mindful of these signs when you are at home and brushing your teeth is an ideal time to look for these patches.  If you experience sudden weight loss or have odd tastes in your mouth, sometimes of the metallic variety, then you should report this to your dentist.

Looking for a cosmetic dentist? City of London dentists are here to help.

Be sure to pursue a healthy, balanced diet, take steps to quit smoking, cut down on drinking and you are lessening your chances of developing oral cancer.  Oral hygiene also plays a very important part and you should get in the habit of brushing twice a day for about three minutes and floss as well.  Most important of all is that you visit your Liverpool dentist for regular check ups at which he or she can look out for early signs of oral cancer.

 

Oral Cancer and The Importance of Mouth Cancer Screening In Liverpool

Thursday, August 9th, 2012

It is estimated that around 1,700 people die each year from mouth cancer and the numbers continue to rise year on year. Like most cancers if it is spotted early enough it can be successfully treated and cured. This is part of what the dentist does on your regular 6 monthly check ups and this is why keeping these appointments are so important.

Signs of oral cancer

The signs of mouth cancer can include white or red patches in the mouth. Lumps in the mouth or throat, swelling in the mouth, ulcers that do not clear up after 14 days and difficulty in swallowing. There are many factors that can either cause oral cancer or put a person into a high risk of developing it.

Who is more at risk?

Smoking and heavy drinking are factors that can increase a person’s risk of developing oral cancer. Smokers or tobacco users are 6 times more likely to develop oral cancer than non-tobacco users. It is estimated that around 75% of all oral cancer cases involved people who use tobacco and drink on a regular basis. However there are infections such as human papillomavirus type 16, which can increase the risk of developing mouth cancer.

All dentists are trained to spot the early warning signs of mouth cancer and will look for it at every visit. By avoiding factors that can increase the risk of developing oral cancer will surely help, so quitting smoking and reducing alcohol intake can have a positive effect.

Oral Sex & Oral Cancer Link

Friday, March 25th, 2011

A new report shows that oral sex may be causing more throat cancer than tobacco.

Researchers studying HPV (human papillomavirus) say that it causes 64% of oropharynxl cancers in the US.

It is now thought to be the main cause of throat cancer in people under 50 years old.

Researchers at Ohio State University say the more oral sex someone has had, and the more partners they’ve had, the greater their risk of getting these cancers, which develop in the middle part of the throat.

Over the past five years, health officials have been urging parents to make sure their daughters are vaccinated against HPV to help prevent cervical cancer.

But these new results suggest that young men could also benefit from vaccination because the recent rise in oropharynxl cancer is predominantly among young, white men.

The British Dental Health Foundation (BDHF) has been calling on the government to include boys in its vaccination programs – designed to guard against the sexually transmitted HPV virus – for years.

Come in to The Liverpool Dental Spa and get a free oral cancer screening with your dental examination.

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6 Dentistry Awards!

Winners for National UK Award

  • > 2009 Best Dental Team

Winners for North West Awards

  • > 2009 Best Dental Team
  • > 2008 Best Dental Practice

Finalists for North West Awards

  • > 2009 Best Practice
  • > 2008 Best Dental Team

Finalist & Highly Commended for

  • > 2007 Best Young Dentist Dr Marius McGovern