Head, Neck & Oral Cancer

Oral cancer screening & early detection is important to successful treatment.

Oral and maxillofacial surgeons are trained in the detection and diagnosis of head, neck, and oral cancer. They are also able to help develop a treatment plan in collaboration with a patient’s doctor.

Learn more about head, neck, and oral cancers in this video from the American Association of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeons.

When to Consider Obstructive Sleep Apnea Surgery

Obstructive sleep apnea can lead to variety of potentially severe complications if left untreated. Some specific instances in which you should considering seeing a doctor or an oral surgeon for your obstructive sleep apnea include:

Waking up choking or gasping
Pauses in your breathing while sleeping
Considerably loud snoring
Excessive Daytime drowsiness

Although loud snoring might be a symptom of severe obstructive sleep apnea, it may also be an outcome of other conditions. That’s why we advise that you see a medical professional and a trained oral surgeon to assess your sleep apnea. Contact us today to book an appointment!

Contact us and we will have one of our trained professionals get back to you as soon as possible.

Complications of Obstructive Sleep Apnea

Despite the severity of your obstructive sleep apnea, it’s considered to be a serious medical condition which can result in some severe complications, including:

Cardiovascular problems – OSA can lead to increase blood pressure, drops in blood oxygen levels, and can increase the risk of heart disease
Daytime fatigue – Due to a lack of sound and restful sleep, those with obstructive sleep apnea will often experience severe daytime drowsiness
Sleep-deprived partners – Loud snoring can affect you and those sleeping around you by also keeping them from getting a good night’s sleep.
Complications with specific medications – Obstructive sleep apnea is a concern with specific medications and with general anesthetics. It is important to tell your doctor that you have OSA before a surgery.

Symptoms & Signs of Oral Cancer

The following may be symptoms of oral cancer. If you detect any of these, please contact us immediately for an assessment by one of our surgeons:

White or red patches or persistent sores inside your mouth on the gums, tongue, or cheeks
Swelling of your jaw without other obvious causes, such as trauma
Unusual bleeding, pain, or numbness in your mouth
Abnormal lumps in your mouth, cheeks, or neck
A chronic sore throat or hoarseness
Difficulty chewing or swallowing

Risk Factors for Head, Neck, and Oral Cancer

Your risk for these types of cancer is increased if any of these apply to you: