Oral Cancer

Oral cancer is one of the most common cancers today and has one of the lowest survival rates, with thousands of new cases being reported each year. Fewer than half of all people diagnosed with oral cancer are ever cured.

Moreover, people with many forms of cancer can develop complications—some of them chronic and painful—from their cancer treatment.  These include dry mouth and overly sensitive teeth, as well as accelerated tooth decay.

If oral cancer is not treated in time, it could spread to other facial and neck tissues, leading to disfigurement and pain.

Older adults over the age of 40 (especially men) are most susceptible to developing oral cancer, but people of all ages are at risk.

Oral cancer can occur anywhere in the mouth, but the tongue appears to be the most common location. Other oral structures could include the lips, gums and other soft palate tissues in the mouth.

Warning Signs

In general, early signs of oral cancer usually occur in the form of lumps, patchy areas and lesions, or breaks, in the tissues of the mouth. In many cases, these abnormalities are not painful in the early stages, making even self-diagnosis difficult.

Here are some additional warning signs:

  • Hoarseness or difficulty swallowing.
  • Unusual bleeding or persistent sores in the mouth that won't heal.
  • Lumps or growths in other nearby areas, such as the throat or neck.

If a tumor is found, surgery will generally be required to remove it. Some facial disfigurement could also result.

Prevention

Prevention is the key to staving off oral cancer. One of the biggest culprits is tobacco and alcohol use. Certain kinds of foods and even overexposure to the sun have also been linked to oral cancer. Some experts believe certain oral cancer risk factors are also hereditary.

A diet rich in fruits and vegetables is one of the best defenses against oral cancer. Maintaining good oral hygiene, and regular dental checkups, are highly recommended.

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Our Regular Schedule

Monday:

8:00 AM-5:00 PM

Tuesday:

8:00 AM-5:00 PM

Wednesday:

8:00 AM-5:00 PM

Thursday:

8:00 AM-5:00 PM

Friday:

Closed

Saturday:

Closed

Sunday:

Closed

Testimonials

What Our Patients Say About Us

    I am grateful that I did not allow another dentist wanting to extract all my teeth to be replaced by implants or dentures, which I did not want.  Thankfully, Dr. Cervantes was willing and able to diagnose and repair my own teeth painlessly to maintain the integrity of my mouth.  I am very pleased with his care and skill.

    Marilyn Gehrig

    Dr. Cervantes has been our family dentist for 19 years.  His professionalism and expertise are commendable.  He is personable, sincere and always pays attention to our comfort during procedures.  The entire staff is very friendly, caring and attentive.  We feel welcomed and well taken care of after each visit.  We can’t imagine going anywhere else- and we drive more than 30 miles to get there!  “Thank you Dr, Cervantes and Staff”

    Jenny Condit

    I would like to offer this testimonial for Dr Hiram Cervantes. I and my children have been patients of Dr. Cervantes for over 20 yrs.

    Dr. Cervantes has been the most caring and gentle doctor I have had the pleasure of being a patient of.  His expertise and knowledge is most favorable.  I am happy to say that I will continue to be a patient of Dr. Cervantes, since he is much too young for retirement.

    Thank you

    Delma Sanchez