April is Oral Cancer Awareness Month

Oral Cancer accounts for 3% of all cancer in the U.S.

48,000 people will get it this year

9,500 people will die from this year (about 1 person per hour)

Oral Cancer kills as many people as Melanoma and is now more common than Leukemia

Alcohol use will increase the risk of developing oral cancer 5 times

Alcohol along with smoking increases the risk of developing oral cancer 15 times

Smokeless/Chewing tobacco is especially dangerous

72% of Oral cancers are attributable to HPV (Human Papilloma Virus) which is a sexually transmitted disease.

• Not all HPV infections cause cancer…only HPV 16

Prevention:
• Visit your dentist regularly (bi-annually)
• Get Vaccinated – Gardasil – all children (boys and girls) starting at 9 years of age
– adults (males and females) up to 26 years of age should also be vaccinated
• Limit Smoking and Alcohol use
• Stop Smokeless/Chewing Tobacco

Signs and Symptoms
• Sores that do not heal within 2-3 weeks
• A swollen tonsil that is not painful
• Red or White discolorations on the soft tissue, tongue or lips
• Hoarseness
• Numb feeling in your mouth
• Difficulty swallowing
• Change in the way your teeth come together when you close your mouth

Listen to Dr. V

92.7am, 104.7fm first Friday of every month at 8:10AM
Contact Us

Contact

Dr. Gary Vander Vliet

Preventive, Cosmetic and Implant Dentistry

office@gvdental.com

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Call us

908-852-8858

Address

Hastings Commons, Building 2B;
486 Schooley’s Mountain Road;
Hackettstown, New Jersey 07840

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Office hours

Monday 8:00AM – 5:00PM
Tuesday 8:00AM – 5:00PM
Wednesday 8:00AM – 5:00PM
Thursday 8:00AM – 5:00PM