The term oral cancer relates to any malignant condition that develops in tissues of the mouth (also known as the oral cavity), back of the mouth, and throat. Oral cancer can include cancer to the lips, tongue, cheeks, the floor of the mouth, hard and soft palate, sinuses, and pharynx. Unless they are treated, they do pose as a threat to overall health.
Oral Cancer? Why does it happen?
As cancer is a very complex field of study, dentists can’t always explain why one person happened to develop cancer while the other person didn’t. A study has stated that men are more susceptible to develop oral cancer than women. There are several risk factors involved when it comes to explaining why a candidate stood a likely chance to attain cancer. Some of the supporting risks involve the uncontrolled consumption of tobacco and alcohol. We shall list out other reasons why patients may be at the risk of being diagnosed with oral cancer.
Smoking – use of cigars, cigarettes, or pipe smokers.
Excessive consumption of alcohol.
A family history of cancer.
Excessive sun exposure.
It is also a fact that sometimes patients who do not drink or smoke may also develop oral cancer due to a variety of other reasons.
Detecting Oral Cancer
In certain conditions, it is quite likely to be fortunate enough to detect minor signs of abnormality in the tissues of the mouth, but in most cases, it is not. Detecting oral cancer is generally performed during your regular visits to the dentist, which is why dentists encourage patients to undergo routine hygiene visits.
Some of the symptoms of oral cancer would include.
Swelling, lumps, rough spots, in the areas of the lips, gums, and others.
Development of velvety patches in the mouth.
Unexplained numbness and signs of bleeding from the mouth.
Experiencing loss of touch.
A feeling of suffocation at the back of the throat.
Difficulty in swallowing.
Experiencing difficulty while wearing restorations.
Treatment
Before we begin to discuss treatment, it is essential to have your condition diagnosed properly. As part of your routine dental examination, the dentist will undergo an oral cancer screening exam during which you will be examined for signs of lumps, irregular tissue changes in the tongue, gums, and mouth. Also, dentists will keenly observe for discolored tissues.
If the dentist detects anything suspicious, a biopsy may be required to determine its makeup.
After a detailed diagnosis of the condition, we begin its treatment. Oral cancer is treated very much like any other cancer. Dentists will perform surgeries to remove the malignant tissues, followed by radiation therapy or chemotherapy. This will help to remove any remaining cancer tissues inside the mouth.
Patients are advised to perform routine hygiene visits to the dentist to ensure that they do not stand a chance for oral cancer. Maintaining a well-balanced diet, staying away from unhealthy practices, and devoting yourself to good oral health care tips can undoubtedly alleviate and in fact prevent your chances of attaining oral cancer.