Preventive Dentistry - Wall Township, NJ

Signs & Symptoms of Oral Cancer

To the untrained eye, the symptoms of oral cancer can be indistinguishable from those of much less severe issues like the common cold and oral irritation, so it’s important to receive regular screenings from a trained oral health professional such as Dr. Aptaker. A few possible indicators of oral cancer include:

• Splotchy or discolored patches of skin within the mouth.
• Bumps, lumps, and cold sores that don’t go away after several weeks.
• Raised areas of firm or leathery oral tissue.
• Trouble swallowing.
• A lump in the throat.
• Unexplained oral numbness or bleeding.
• Loose permanent teeth.
• Difficulty chewing.
• Persistent sore throat.
• Sudden changes in voice.

Poor oral health habits like tobacco use and excessive alcohol consumption can increase your risk of oral cancer.

What Does a Dentist Look for During an Oral Cancer Screening?

 During your routine oral exam, Dr. Aptaker will take a little time to carefully examine your mouth, lips, tongue, and throat for symptoms of oral cancer. This check usually only takes a few minutes, and our dentist will be able to refer you to a specialist if he finds anything concerning.

What Can I Expect During My Screening?

If Dr. Aptaker finds anything in your mouth that may be a sign of oral cancer, he may touch the suspicious area to check for texture and sensitivity. He may also gently feel about your neck to check for lumps in your throat. If he finds anything concerning, he may schedule you for a follow-up exam several weeks later so he can monitor the development of your symptoms, but this doesn’t necessarily mean you have oral cancer. Since dentists are not qualified to diagnose oral cancer, Dr. Aptaker will be happy to refer you to a trusted specialist who can properly diagnose the issue and treat it accordingly.

What is Fluoride?

Fluoride is a mineral that is found in a variety of places, including rainwater, creeks, and rivers. It has also been detected in many veggies and is a popular additive to oral hygiene products like toothpaste and mouthwash. In fact, here in the United States, over 17,000 communities add it to their public water supply to lower their risk of developing cavities.

Although it’s true that fluoride can be dangerous in extremely large amounts, the average toothpaste or glass of tap water doesn’t come close to those levels. In fact, the only way you could conceivably ingest enough to be problematic is if you regularly ate complete tubes of toothpaste!

How Does Fluoride Treatment Work?

Fluoride treatment from Dr. Aptaker is a completely safe, fast-yet-effective way to protect your teeth against cavities and decay. It can reduce you or your child’s risk of developing dental caries by up to 35% following your dental cleaning and exam.

It works like this: once your teeth are clean and polished, someone from our team will carefully coat your teeth in a fluoride-enhanced varnish, foam, or gel. It will then remain there for 30 to 60 minutes, during which time you’ll need to avoid eating and drinking. Then, once your time is up, you can resume your diet as usual, albeit this time with stronger, healthier teeth!

Who Benefits from Fluoride Treatment?

Typically, fluoride treatment in Wall Township is given to children who are still learning proper oral hygiene techniques and as a result may be more prone to cavities and decay. However, it’s not just for kids- adults can benefit from this treatment, too, especially if they have certain medical conditions like diabetes, sensitive teeth, or if they have mobility challenges or other special needs that may make brushing difficult.

To learn more about fluoride treatment and see if it’s right for you, speak to Dr. Aptaker at your next exam and cleaning, or feel free to call us with your questions and we’ll be happy to assist you!