Dental Care

By: Nov 11th, 2017 12:01 am

This week, the dental expert is telling us about Mouth Cancer

Mouth Cancer

In general, cancer is uncontrollable growth of cells that invade and cause damage to the surrounding tissue. Oral cancer appears as a growth or sore in the mouth that does not go away. Oral cancer, which includes cancers of the lips, tongue, cheeks, floor of the mouth, hard and soft palate, sinuses, and pharynx (throat), can be life threatening if not diagnosed and treated early.

Symptoms

The most common symptoms of mouth cancer include:

Swellings/thickenings, lumps or bumps, rough spots/crusts/or eroded areas on the lips, gums, or other areas inside the mouth

*The development of velvety white, red, or speckled (white and red) patches in the mouth

*Unexplained bleeding in the mouth

*Unexplained numbness, loss of feeling, or pain/tenderness in any area of the face, mouth, or neck

*Persistent sores in mouth that bleed easily and do not heal within 2 weeks

*A soreness or feeling that something is caught in the back of the throat

*Difficulty chewing or swallowing, speaking, or moving the jaw or tongue

* Hoarseness, chronic sore throat, or change in voice

Causes

Cancer occurs when a genetic mutation instructs cells to grow without control. Untreated, oral cancer will start in one part of the mouth, then spread to other parts of the mouth, to the head and neck, and the rest of the body.The exact cause of the mutations is unknown, but there is evidence that certain risk factors increase the chance of mouth cancer development.

Risk Factors

*Tobacco and alcohol use are prominent risk factors for mouth cancer.

*Smokers are three times more likely than nonsmokers to develop mouth cancer, and people who smoke and drink alcohol have up to 30 times higher risk than those who do not smoke and drink.

Diagnosis

The dentist may be the first person to spot signs of mouth cancer.A biopsy may be carried out, where a small sample of tissue is taken to check for cancerous cells. Sometimes a “brush biopsy” is used initially; this where cells are painlessly collected by brushing them to one side.If mouth cancer is diagnosed, the next task is to determine the stage of the cancer.

Prevention Of Mouth Cancer

A number of lifestyle changes can reduce the risk of mouth cancer; these include:

+Quitting or avoiding tobacco

+Consuming alcohol in moderation or not at all

+Avoid excessive sun exposure and using sunscreen on the lips

+Avoiding junk foods, saturated fats, and processed meats


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