Did you know your dentist checks for signs of oral cancer during routine visits? Your dentist is perhaps your first line of detection for oral cancer, which, along with other head and neck cancers, accounts for roughly four percent of cancers in America.

In honor of Oral, Head and Neck Cancer Awareness Month, we'd like to bring attention to the risks of head and neck cancers, and give you some information about their symptoms and causes, along with measures you can take to help prevent them.

Cancers that occur in “the moist, mucosal surfaces inside the head and neck (for example, inside the mouth, the nose, and the throat)” include the saliva glands, pharynx, larynx, and more.

Let your dentist know if you experience any of the following symptoms:

Your dentist will want to run tests and may even decide to do a biopsy in order to rule out cancer.

Alcohol and tobacco are two of the leading causes of oral, head, and neck cancers, accounting for nearly 75 percent. Human papillomavirus, also known as HPV, is another leader, particularly when it comes to the tonsils and the tongue or the oropharynx. Foods and even poor oral hygiene habits may also play a role in the development of these cancers.

Treatments for oral, head, and neck cancers are as various as the types of cancers one can have, so it’s best to work with your dentist and doctor to create a treatment plan for your specific ailment. Treatments may involve surgery, chemotherapy or radiation, among other things.

Start by taking care of yourself. Maintain a healthy diet and a regular oral heath routine, remembering to brush and floss, limit alcohol intake, avoid tobacco products, visit the dentist regularly, and discuss with your doctor how you can reduce your risk for HPV. Take note of any strange symptoms or issues you’re having and discuss them with your dentist or doctor as soon as possible.

Protect yourself with knowledge for Oral, Head and Neck Cancer Awareness Month. Find a free screening near you.

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