April 2019: Oral Cancer Awareness Month

This April is Oral Cancer Awareness Month. At Fresh Meadows Dental Care, Dr. Farid Hakimzadeh offers oral cancer screenings to our patients. We want our patients to be healthy and happy. Prevention is the key to living a long life. That's why if you have or experience any strange anomalies in your mouth you should make an appointment ASAP.

 

You should make an appointment with Dr. Hakimzadeh if your experience anything new or strange in your mouth that doesn’t heal after 2-3 weeks. This is the first and biggest indicator of something more serious. This is especially true if it is reoccurring. Be on the lookout for these symptoms:

 

Sores that take longer or over 14 days to heal, weird coloring of the soft tissue, abnormalities that bleed easily, bumps or hard spots in the mouth, and/or a lump on the outside of the neck that has been there for at least two weeks.

 

The symptoms for HPV-caused oropharyngeal cancer can vary from these other symptoms. In this case, a patient might experience a hoarse or sore throat, a constant cough, a lump on the neck, difficulties swallowing, or an ache in one or both ears.

 

The biggest risk factors or oral cancer is heavy drinking and smoking. Chewing tobacco is also extremely detrimental to your health. The other big risk factor is contracting the sexually transmitted human papillomavirus 16.

 

If you or a loved one are experiencing any of these symptoms, schedule your appointment with Dr. Farid Hakimzadeh immediately. Fresh Meadows Dental Care is located in Flushing, NY. Visit our website or call 718-224-7272 to schedule your appointment.

Oral Cancer Screenings

Fresh Meadows Dental Care takes pride in serving the families from our community.  We want your smiles to look great, but we also screen for oral cancer and it is important that you and your family are aware of oral cancer and how to prevent it.  Oral cancer screening may not be the most common reason you’ve visited a dentist, but regular screenings are the best way to protect yourself.

Heavy smoking and drinking do increase the risk of oral cancer, but oral cancer can still occur if someone never smokes.  The human papilloma virus (HPV) was recently found to be responsible for most oral cancers that originated in the back of the mouth.  Because there is no way to predict cancer, you should ask about an oral cancer screening with each dental checkup.  Your dentist will conduct a visual exam, and may use an ultraviolet light to see any irregularities inside the mouth. Always contact us if you notice any inexplicable pain, swelling, or numbness in your throat or jaw.

To learn more about oral cancer screenings and all the services we provide, visit www.freshmeadowsdental.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Farid Hakimzadeh of Fresh Meadows Dental Care in Oakland Gardens, NY, call 718-224-7272.

Oral Pathology

The oral cavity refers to the mouth and consists of the lips, the lining inside the cheeks and lips, the tongue, the upper and lower gums, the roof and floor of the mouth, and the small area behind the wisdom teeth.  Dr. Farid Hakimzadeh of Fresh Meadows Dental Care specializes in oral pathology which identifies and treats diseases of these tissues. Some of the diseases that Dr. Hakimzadeh diagnoses include mouth and throat cancer, mumps, salivary gland disorders, ulcers, and more. 

Research has identified a number of factors that increase the risk of developing oral cancers. To prevent oral cancer you should avoid tobacco use of any kind, keep alcohol use to a minimum and avoid excessive sun exposure. You should schedule an appointment with Dr. Hakimzadeh if you experience a sore that doesn’t heal, loose teeth, tongue pain, and difficulty eating or speaking. If mouth cancer is detected, Dr. Hakimzadeh will work to determine the extent, or stage of cancer and discuss treatment options.

If you have questions about oral pathology, please give us a call. To learn more about the services we provide at our practice, visit www.freshmeadowsdental.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Farid Hakimzadeh of Fresh Meadows Dental Care in Oakland Gardens, NY, call 718-224-7272.

Screening for Oral Cancer

Oral cancer is a type of head and neck cancer that affects the mouth. It can form in the lining of the cheeks, gums, roof of the mouth, tongue, and lips. During your dental visit at Fresh Meadows Dental Care, Dr. Farid Hakimzadeh can talk to you about your health history and examine these areas for signs of mouth and/or throat cancer through a procedure called oral cancer screening.

The oral cancer screening is a very important part of the dental visit for the patient. The screening will consist of a visual inspection of the mouth and palpation of the jaw and neck. Regular visits to the dentist office can improve the chances that any suspicious changes in your oral health will be caught early, at a time when cancer can be treated more easily. It is important to remember that your doctor does not necessarily think you have cancer if he or she suggests a screening test because they are given even when you have no cancer symptoms.

If you are concerned about oral cancer, please give us a call. To learn more about the services we provide at our practice, visit www.freshmeadowsdental.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Farid Hakimzadeh of Fresh Meadows Dental Care in Oakland Gardens, NY, call 718-224-7272.