As per oral cancer foundation, about 100 new individuals become victims of oral cancer each day, and a person dies from oral cancer every hour of every day. The death rate of oral cancer is much higher than the other types of cancer. The major reason behind this is unawareness of the causes and symptoms of oral cancer. So, this article presented by the best dentists sheds light on everything a person should know about oral cancer.
Risk Factors Associated with Oral Cancer
As per reports, men over the age of 50 years old appear to be at the highest risk for developing oral cancer. However, there are a lot of factors that increase the risk of oral cancer, such as –
1. Smoking
The rate of oral cancer among chain smokers is higher as compared to non-smokers. It is estimated that smokers most likely have a six times higher possibility of increased diseases and cancer. So, if you have a habit of smoking all day long, it is advisable to quit this habit as soon as possible.
2. Alcohol
Beyond smoking, alcohol also has additional risk factors associated with oral health. People who consume at least 3-4 drinks every day are likely to have more risk of oral cancer than those who don’t consume alcohol at all. Also, 75% of oral cancer occur in those who consume both tobacco and alcohol.
3. Tobacco
Tobacco can be used in other ways too, rather than smoking. Consuming tobacco in any form puts a person at higher risk for cancer. So, those who chew tobacco or snuff has 50% more chances of oral cancer and other diseases.
4. Graft Versus Host Disease
Also known as GVHD, this disorder can occur following a stem-cell transplant, in which bone marrow is replaced as a result of cancer incidence or treatment. The new stem cells may trigger an immune reaction that assaults the patient’s own cells, causing tissue in the body to be destroyed. GVHD raises the risk of oral cancer, which can appear as soon as two years after the onset of GVHD.
5.Human Papillomavirus Infection
Around 200 similar viruses are associated with HPV. Many HPVs cause warts, while some cause cancer as well. The human papillomavirus is a risk factor for oral cancer. People with HPV-related oral malignancies are less likely to be smokers or drinkers. HPV infections in the mouth typically do not cause symptoms, and only a small fraction of these infections progress to malignancy.
6. Fanconi Anaemia
It is a blood disorder caused by hereditary changes in many genes. Patients may acquire anaemia at a young age and develop symptoms. People with Fanconi anaemia are up to 500 times more likely to develop mouth cancer than the general population.
Is Oral Cancer Detectable?
When identified early, the cancer cell mass/tumour is tiny and has not spread, oral cancer is treatable. As a result, it is critical to visit an expert and have any symptom or cancer sign checked as soon as possible. So, if you have any of the aforementioned habits, you need to get a checkup right away before it gets too late.
How Quitting Smoking Lowers the Risk Of Oral Health?
As per oral care reports, consuming tobacco or smoking regularly can –
- Increase the chances of gum disease
- Stain teeth and tongue
- Slow the healing process after any dental treatment
- Dull the sense of smell and taste
These are some of the major oral health issues that a person might experience while smoking or keeping any bad oral habit. To avoid this, the following tips might be helpful.
- Chew sugarless gum to keep the mouth busy the whole day.
- Exercising might be helpful to remove the stress and when you feel like smoking.
- Consult the therapist if you feel depressed after quitting smoking.
- Get busy with anything so that you need not feel the urge to smoke.
- Consult a good dentist to track your oral health.
Major Symptoms Associated with Oral Cancer
The following are some of the symptoms that indicate oral cancer –
- White or red patch in the mouth
- Numbness in the tongue or other areas of the mouth
- Irritation or thick patch in the mouth
- Difficulty while moving the jaw or tongue
- Pain in the ear without any hearing loss
- Swelling of the jaw
All these symptoms can easily be prevented by scheduling a monthly oral checkup. The early detection of oral cancer is the primary reason to visit the dentist monthly. Ignoring oral conditions might even result in tooth loss which demands expensive dental implant. So, be very careful from the beginning and keep track of your oral health.
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