While nobody wants to lose a natural tooth, sometimes dental extraction is necessary to prioritize your oral health. Indeed, common concerns such as decay and infection are among the most common oral health complications out there. Just because they are common, however, it does not mean putting off treatment is a wise idea. Even still, there are more factors that negatively impact your oral health than you might expect, and taking the necessary steps to care for your smile is imperative. In today’s blog, your Conroe, TX dentist discusses the connection between excessive sun exposure and oral cancer, as well as what steps you can take to prioritize your health.

Dangers of Oral Cancer

When it comes to taking care of your health, prevention is the most effective method. This process includes following a routine of at-home and in-office care, as well as paying mind to the negative effects of certain foods and beverages you consume.

Whether you are aware of it or not, there are countless other factors that impact your health as well. For instance, with Summer around, many families are preparing for pool season. Many know that too much sun is bad for your skin and even causes concerns such as skin cancer. What you might not be aware of, however, is that excessive sun exposure to your lips can actually lead to oral cancer.

Oral cancer occurs when the cells contained within your mouth tissues mutate and continue to grow. While there are not explicit causes, there are a number of factors that increase your chances of development, such as excessive sun exposure. For more information about this process, reach out to our team today.

Other Influencers

In addition to excess sun, there are other factors that heavily influence your development of oral cancer. For instance, excessive alcohol consumption, use of tobacco products, and even human papillomavirus.

When an individual develops oral cancer, there are a number of signs or symptoms that may become present. Signs of this phenomenon include the development of a red or white rough patch, alarmingly loose teeth, difficulty swallowing, noticeable bumps or lumps, and more. If you suspect you may be exhibiting signs of oral cancer, please do not hesitate to reach out to our team today.

Steps You Can Take

While there is not a way to effectively prevent oral cancer development, you can take steps to minimize your chances. In addition to ceasing tobacco use, reducing alcohol consumption, and reducing exposure to the sun, make sure you ask our team about our oral cancer screenings during your next visit.

Learn More Today

Contact The Dental Centre of Conroe in Conroe, TX by calling 936-441-4600 to learn more about the dangers of this phenomenon and how you can protect your health today.