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What is Mouth Cancer?

What is Mouth Cancer?

What is a cancer of the mouth?

A type of cancer that usually occurs on the lips ( more often in the lower lip), inside the mouth, in the back of the throat, in the tonsils or salivary glands. It is more common in men than in women and affects mainly people over 40 years of age. Smoking, combined with excessive alcohol consumption, is a major risk factor. If not detected early, oral cancer may require treatments ranging from surgery (for removal) to radiation therapy or chemotherapy. This cancer can be fatal, with a five-year survival rate of 50% *. One of the reasons why this prognosis is so negative is the fact that the first symptoms are not recognized soon.

What are the symptoms of this cancer?

Mouth cancer - Photo: Getty Images

It is not always possible to see the first signs that indicate the existence of cancer which increases the importance of regular consultations with the dentist or doctor. Your dentist has been trained to detect the earliest signs of oral cancer. However, in addition to regular appointments, you should talk to your dentist if you notice any of the following signs:

- Sore on the lips, gums or inside the mouth, which bleeds easily and does not seem to improve; or numbness in the cheek that you feel when passing the tongue

- Loss of sensation or sensation of numbness in any part of the mouth;

- White or red markings on the gingiva, tongue or any other part of the mouth;

Difficulty chewing or swallowing

-Dor for no apparent reason or feeling of something stuck in the throat

- Swelling that prevents correct adaptation of the denture.

- Change in voice.

How to avoid oral cancer?

If you do not smoke or chew tobacco, do not start smoking. Tobacco use is responsible for 80-90% of the causes of oral cancer. **

Smoke:

the link between smoking, lung cancer and heart disease has been established (1). Smoking also affects your overall health, making it harder to fight infections and repair wounds or surgeries. In young adults, this habit can slow growth and hinder development. Many smokers claim they no longer feel the odor or taste as well as before. Smoking can also cause bad breath and stain the teeth. Your oral health is in danger every time you light a cigarette, cigar, or pipe. With this attitude, your chances of developing cancer of the larynx, mouth, throat and esophagus increase. As many people do not notice or simply ignore the initial symptoms, oral cancer often spreads before being detected. Chewing tobacco:

The habit of chewing tobacco increases by 50 times the possibility of developing oral cancer . The best thing to do is not to smoke or use any other tobacco products. When a person stops using these products, even after several years of consumption, the risk of contracting oral cancer is reduced significantly. Excessive consumption of alcohol also increases the risk of oral cancer. How is oral cancer treated?

Tobacco is responsible for 80 to 90% of the causes of oral cancer

After the diagnosis, a team of specialists ( which includes a dentist surgeon) develops a special treatment plan for each patient. Surgery is almost always necessary, followed by radio or chemotherapy. It is essential to get in touch with a professional who is familiar with the changes produced in the mouth by these therapies.

What side effects does radiotherapy produce in the mouth?

When radiotherapy is used in the head and neck area, many people experience irritation or dryness of the mouth, difficulty swallowing and loss of taste. Radiation also increases the risk of cavities, so it is much more important to take good care of your mouth and throat in this period. Talk to your dentist and your oncologist about any oral problems you may have during or after treatment. Before starting radiation therapy, do not forget to discuss with your dentist the possible side effects and how to avoid them.

How to maintain oral health during therapy?

Use a soft brush after meals and wire daily. Avoid condiments and rough foods such as raw vegetables, nuts and dry biscuits. Avoid smoking and alcohol. To keep your mouth dry, candies and chewing gum should not contain sugar. Before you begin radiotherapy, consult your dentist and have a complete review of your teeth and ask your dentist to talk to your oncologist. *

* Complete Guide to Better Care of Teeth, Jeffrey F. Taintor, DDS, MS Mary Jane Taintor, 1997. "** National Cancer Institute," What You Should Know About Mouth Cancer. " Last Review, Sep 28 1998. (1) Compendium of Continuing Education in Dentistry 1 [Compendium of Continuing Education in Dentistry], Vol. 19, # 1 Fall, 2000.


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