8 East Devon Ave., Elk Grove Village, IL 60007

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Family & Cosmetic Dentistry in Elk Grove Village IL

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Oral Cancer Awareness Month: What You Should Know

Published by Brian Homann DDS

The thought of developing any type of cancer is worrisome, but did you know that you can develop cancer in your mouth? Every April is Oral Cancer Awareness Month and it’s a great opportunity for our dentist near Wood Dale to educate our patients about the subtle threat of oral cancer. Keep in mind that oral cancer refers to cancer of the mouth while pharyngeal cancer refers to cancer of the pharynx (back of the throat). Our team will be on the lookout for oral cancer during your regular checkups, but it’s important to be aware of the warning signs and triggers as well.

Causes

Pinpointing the development of oral cancer can be complex, but there are some situations that may put you at a higher risk of developing it. The presence of human papillomavirus 16 is one of the leading causes of this type of cancer. Tobacco, whether it’s consumed with or without smoke, can significantly increase the risk of developing cancers in the mouth, throat and esophagus. Diet, sun exposure and alcohol are also risk factors.

Early Warning Signs

If you notice a sore or a lump developing in your mouth that isn’t going away, this could be a red flag. Also be mindful of numbness in the tongue, difficulty moving the jaw, pain only in one ear, or a white or red spot in your mouth, especially inside of the cheek.

Prevention

Make sure to keep a close eye on any new developments with your oral health. Cut out tobacco in all forms and drink moderately. Limit exposure to the sun and always wear sunscreen, including on your lips. Brush and floss regularly and stick to a diet that consists mainly of fruits and vegetables.

Our dentist serving Wood Dale is only a phone call away if you have an ongoing issue with your mouth! Don’t hesitate to call our team today.

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Most caring dental staff I’ve ever encountered. Every experience has been extremely professional, from just calling to ask a question to cleanings for my whole family and beyond.

Dr. Homann goes out of his way to make sure you understand each step of the process and are comfortable the whole way. Each member of their team genuinely cares about their patients, and knowing I will have the best care every time I walk in the door makes going to the dentist a whole lot easier. Thank you to all the kind and wonderful staff, you make all the difference.

Happy Client
Elk Grove Village, IL

Dr. Homan is the best dentist I've ever been to. Most of my co-workers go to Dr. Homan and that's how I heard about him.

I needed a lot of work on my teeth and I'm so glad I found such a great dentist. He explains everything to you and also is very upfront on all posibiltys that's can happen to the tooth he works on and also explains what you can expect after the dental work. He's also very friendly and everyone at the office makes you feel comfortable. Karen and Sandra in the front office are wonderful as well. They also have wonderful dental hygienist. My insurance is not in network with Dr. Homan but it's well worth the extra money to still go to the best!

Happy Client
Elk Grove Village, IL

Dr. Homann's practice is very clean and up to date. His practice also has televisions to watch when you are getting your teeth cleaned or any other work done which is awesome!

The chairs are very comfortable and the staff is very polite. Dr. Homann is also a very knowledgeable dentist with the ability to make every patient feel calm and comfortable no matter what the situation. He also has done volunteer work for the homeless donating his time and resources to help the less fortunate, if that doesn't let you know what kind of practice this is I don't know what will. I will definitely be coming back here again!

Happy Client
Elk Grove Village, IL
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