Cancer awareness-

This is very much part of your oral health assessment. Oral cancer has a strong link with smoking and drinking,  however Oro-pharyngeal carcinoma in the young is on the increase typically in 25-50 year old healthy nonsmokers! http://www.oralcancerfoundation.org/hpv/hpv-oral-cancer-facts.php

The culprit is a very common virus(HPV 16-18) .Your dentist is aware of this , if you have a persistent ulcer or lump in the neck or mouth which last for over 3 weeks ,please see your dentist who can advise you on the correct procedure. Early diagnosis is very important in the successful cure of this disease.

HPV VIRUS

This virus is very common and many people have been exposed to this virus and have no or very mild symptoms and recover normally.

However there is a significant minority who are susceptible to the viruses inducing genetic change and causing a carcinoma. Your dentist can look out for these changes and if necessary refer you to have treatment and a total cure! This cure is dependent on being diagnosed early so a regular dental checkup can help.