Nursing home patients are at a high risk for oral cancer and need an oral cancer screening from the dentist. Seniors are more likely to develop oral cancer than any other age group and it is critical to catch cancer quickly. Screenings only take a few minutes and can save your loved one’s life. Find out why screenings are so important for people who live in nursing homes.
As people age, the risk of developing oral cancer increases. This is due to a variety of factors. Fortunately, dentists can examine patients to find signs of oral cancer. Suspicious lesions are biopsied to determine if treatment is needed. Learn why nursing home patients are at such a high risk for developing oral cancer.
Most oral cancers do not appear quickly. Instead, oral cancer takes years or even decades to develop. People might smoke and drink heavily in their younger years and end up with oral cancer much later in life. Nursing home patients should get regular screenings to ensure past habits and behaviors did not cause oral cancer to develop later in life.
Nursing home patients often receive poor oral care. Many do not brush and floss regularly, and most skip dental appointments. Many refer to this as an epidemic since it is so widespread across nursing homes. Unfortunately, there appears to be a strong link between poor oral care and oral cancer. Bacteria build up in the mouth when not cleaned away. This can lead to an infection and impact cell growth, which can lead to oral cancer.
During cancer screenings, dentists can also clean the teeth. This reduces the risk of the patient developing cancer. Patients who get regular cleanings enjoy other benefits as well. In fact, good oral hygiene can improve nursing home patients’ overall health.
Many nursing home patients wear dentures. This poses two problems. First, denture wearers often believe that oral hygiene is not necessary since they do not have teeth. This increases the risk of oral cancer. Also, ill-fitting dentures rub against the gums. The friction causes sores that can eventually turn into cancer.
The immune system becomes weaker as people age. That is one reason why elderly people tend to get sick on a somewhat regular basis. A weakened immune system puts people at risk for developing oral cancer. Catching cancer early puts people on the road to recovery.
If your loved one is in a nursing home, regular oral cancer screenings could be a lifesaver. Seniors are more likely to be diagnosed with oral cancer than younger people since cancer can take years to develop. Poor oral hygiene, ill-fitting dentures and a weakened immune system increase the risk of oral cancer. Annual or biannual oral cancer screenings make it easier to catch oral cancer before it becomes life-threatening. Talk to your dentist about screenings for your loved one.
Request an appointment here: https://trophysmilestudio.com or call Trophy Smile Studio at (817) 210-4049 for an appointment in our Trophy Club office.
Check out what others are saying about our services on Yelp: Read our Yelp reviews.
Denture care is an important part of denture maintenance. You depend on your dentures to perform day-to-day tasks, and it's not uncommon for them to need repair or replacement over time. The key to keeping your dentures in good shape is making sure that they are cared for properly. Denture care goes beyond just brushing…
Oral surgery is an invasive procedure. A dentist will recommend this procedure if the damage is severe and correction must happen right away. This surgery may be an aggressive solution to a dental issue, but your dentist will not suggest it unless your comfort or health relies on it. If you want to know why…
Learning how to live your life again when you are worried about denture care can be challenging. One of the first steps in learning the proper denture care is learning good, healthy eating habits for your new smile. Return to the quality of life you deserve. Getting a new smile is the first step in…
Dentures can be a great way to replace missing teeth, but they require regular denture care and maintenance. In fact, dentures can last for ten or more years with proper denture care. How long dentures will last depends on how well and how often you take care of them.Dentures rarely need repairs, but dentists recommend…
Denture care is an important part of denture maintenance. You depend on your dentures to…
Oral surgery is an invasive procedure. A dentist will recommend this procedure if the damage…
Learning how to live your life again when you are worried about denture care can…
Dentures can be a great way to replace missing teeth, but they require regular denture…
An emergency dentist provides prompt care to restore oral health, prevent further complications, and alleviate…
Denture care is essential for dental health. How often do you think about your dentures?…