Become Mouth-Aware: 3 Ways You Can Help Protect Yourself from Mouth Cancer

It’s Mouth Cancer Action Month, so we want to remind you to take proactive steps to safeguard your oral health. While mouth cancer (also known as oral cancer) is a serious condition, our team at K Street Dental & Orthodontic Group in Washington, DC, offers ways to lower your risk.

Here are three simple yet powerful steps you can take to protect yourself from mouth cancer.

Perform regular self-examinations

Checking your mouth regularly for unusual changes can make a huge difference. Early signs of mouth cancer may not cause pain, which makes it easy to overlook them. To conduct a simple and quick self-exam:

• Look for red or white patches, lumps, or sores that don't heal within three weeks
• Pay attention to any persistent ulcers, numbness in your lips, or thickening of the tissues inside your mouth
• Check your tongue, cheeks, roof of your mouth, gums, and throat, and use a small mirror for areas that are harder to see

If you notice anything unusual, don't hesitate to consult with our expert dental team. The earlier we detect mouth cancer, the better the chances of successful treatment.

Quit tobacco and limit alcohol

Tobacco and excessive alcohol consumption are two of the leading causes of mouth cancer. Smokers and those who use smokeless tobacco (like chewing tobacco or snuff) are at a much higher risk of developing oral cancer. Heavy drinking can also increase your risk, particularly when combined with tobacco use.

Quitting smoking or tobacco use is one of the most effective ways to lower your risk. If you drink alcohol, limit your intake to moderate levels — ideally no more than one drink per day for women and two drinks per day for men. 

Not only will these lifestyle changes reduce your cancer risk, but they’ll also improve your overall health.

Visit our dental practice regularly

Make routine appointments with our dental team so we can spot potential signs of mouth cancer early. Dental checkups often include oral cancer screenings. We’re trained to look for signs you might miss and can recommend further testing if needed.

Schedule visits every six months or as we recommend, based on your health and lifestyle. Stay on top of your oral health so you're better equipped to catch any issues before they become serious.

Mouth Cancer Action Month is the perfect time to start paying attention to your oral health. Being proactive, staying informed, and becoming mouth-aware can reduce your risk and help catch any potential problems early.

Book a dental checkup with our team today by calling our office in Washington, DC, now.