{"id":133,"date":"2018-04-29T19:23:24","date_gmt":"2018-04-29T19:23:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.richardfossumdds.com\/blog\/?p=133"},"modified":"2018-04-29T19:23:24","modified_gmt":"2018-04-29T19:23:24","slug":"dentist-temple-10","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.richardfossumdds.com\/blog\/dentist-temple-10\/","title":{"rendered":"Dentist in Temple Says Don\u2019t Miss Oral Cancer Screenings"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"CloseupApril is National Oral Health Awareness Month, and it couldn\u2019t come at a more important time. Did you know that estimates say almost 50,000 people will be diagnosed with oral cancer <\/span>this year? <\/span><\/i>Or that the disease kills one American per hour, every single day of the year? These statistics are alarming — but the good news is that routine <\/span>oral cancer screenings<\/span><\/a> can help to ensure that you get the treatment you need right away if the disease does develop. Keep reading to learn more from your dentist in Temple, just in time for Oral Cancer Awareness Month!<\/span><\/p>\n

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What Is Oral Cancer?<\/span><\/h2>\n

Oral cancer is cancer affecting the lips, cheeks, gums, tongue, or hard\/soft palate of the mouth. It is primarily caused by tobacco use, but other factors (including family history of cancer, prolonged UV exposure, etc.) may increase the risk of getting oral cancer. Human papillomavirus is also closely linked to cancer of the mouth, which is causing more young, otherwise healthy patients to be diagnosed than ever before. Still, most patients who have oral cancer are past the age of 55. Men are more likely to receive an oral cancer diagnosis than women.<\/span><\/p>\n

What Are the Symptoms of Oral Cancer?<\/span><\/h2>\n

The warning signs of oral cancer include:<\/span><\/p>\n