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.
When you are new to wearing dentures, you have many questions involving your denture care. Some people who wear dentures and do not have any natural teeth left believe they no longer need to see their dentist regularly like they used to. For many reasons, making sure you still see your dentist for regular appointments…
Wondering whether a cracked tooth can be saved by a dentist? Read on to find out. If a cracked tooth is damaged beyond what can be repaired, then a dentist may recommend having the tooth extracted and replaced with a fixed dental bridge, partial denture, or implant-supported dental crown.The methods used to treat a cracked…
Denture care is an essential part of a healthy lifestyle, but few people know the best way to care for their teeth. Denture hygiene is just as important as brushing and flossing your natural teeth! What are dentures? How do dentures work? What types of dentures are there? How do I clean them? Who can…
When you don't provide the proper denture care for your dentures, you can get a bad case of denture odor. Odors are not only unpleasant to you but also unpleasant for those around you. It may have an effect on your eating habits and oral health as well. It's not unusual for dentures to start…
When you are new to wearing dentures, you have many questions involving your denture care.…
Wondering whether a cracked tooth can be saved by a dentist? Read on to find…
Denture care is an essential part of a healthy lifestyle, but few people know the…
When you don't provide the proper denture care for your dentures, you can get a…
Denture care is one of the most essential steps in preventing gum disease. Gum disease…
To understand what makes a good Invisalign® dentist, you first need to know what this…