Suspicious lumps or sores in your mouth might be a warning sign for more serious issues. Non-healing mouth ulcers, red and white patches, and unusual lumps and swellings are potential symptoms of oral cancer. Each year, 50,000 Americans are diagnosed with oral cancer – and 9,750 people will die from it.

Tobacco use – including smoking, vaping, or smokeless tobacco – increases your risk of oral cancer. So does alcohol use (especially when also using tobacco), exposure to human papillomavirus (HPV), chronic physical trauma, infectious diseases, poor nutrition, and poor oral hygiene. Men are twice as likely as women to develop oral cancer.

Early treatment may be the key to complete recovery. That is one of the many reasons why seeing the dentist regularly is so important – even if you have no natural teeth remaining or have dentures.

Because of the mouth’s important role in overall health, Ebenezer Medical Outreach, Inc. offers a dental clinic for its patients. Twice a week, an expert Certified Public Health Dental Hygienist completes dental cleanings and oral health screenings for patients who see a primary care provider at Huntington’s free and charitable clinic.

These dental services are only offered for Ebenezer’s primary care patients. Anyone who is uninsured or underinsured with an income up to 300% of the federal poverty level (currently $45,180 for a single individual; $93,600 for a family of four) or anyone who receives West Virginia Medicaid is eligible to become an Ebenezer patient. Once established with an Ebenezer primary care provider, a patient can be referred to Ebenezer’s dental clinic.

Those covered by West Virginia Medicaid should also know that the program now includes an adult dental benefit. Making an appointment with a participating local dentist can be a first step in better health.

Learn more at https://emohealth.org/. Call 304-529-0753 to start your application.