Video: American Dental Association (Oct 2017)

HPV: Head, Neck, and Oral Cancers

The human papillomavirus (HPV) is the most common sexually transmitted infection (STI) in the United States. Nearly all sexually active people will get human papillomavirus (HPV) at some time in their life if they don’t get the HPV vaccine.

Human papillomavirus Signs and symptoms include:

• A sore, or soreness or irritation that doesn’t go away
• Red or white patches, or pain, tenderness, or numbness in mouth or lips
• Lumps, thickening tissues, rough spots, crusty or eroded areas
• Difficulty chewing, swallowing, speaking or moving your jaw or tongue
• A change in the way your teeth fit together when you close your mouth

Some patients complain of a persistent sore throat, feeling like something is caught in their throat, hoarseness, a change in voice, earaches, pain when swallowing, and unexplained weight loss. If you have any of these symptoms, let Dr. Crooks know, especially if you’ve had them for two weeks or more!

By undergoing routine cleanings and examinations with Dr. Monica Crooks and her team of highly trained hygienists, you significantly increase the chances of detecting and identifying any suspicious changes early on.

Early oral cancer detection safeguards your health by enabling any necessary treatment to happen when the problem is small and localized. The risk of oral cancer increases with age, as well as with tobacco and alcohol use, and with exposure to human papillomavirus infection (HPV) through oral sex.

Don’t let any health concerns go unchecked! Call (916) 922-2027 to schedule an oral cancer screening with Dr. Monica Crooks or request appointment today!

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