Oral Cancer – 5 Things You Can Do to Keep Yourself Away from It

Like many other diseases, prevention and early detection are vital when it comes to protecting patients suffering from oral carcinoma. Read along to get a deeper insight on what this disease is all about and how you can protect yourself from it. For most people the extent of good oral hygiene is keeping cavities at bay and ensuring that their breath is minty fresh all day long. Unfortunately, there are other more severe issues that can plague your mouth. One of these is the development of malignancies. Cancer cells can grow anywhere within your mouth including the palate, gums, cheeks, lips, and tongue. Saliva secreting glands, tonsils, and the innards of the throat too are spots where such growths are known to appear. While it is difficult to detect this condition early on due to lack of sufficient signs, a few bodily changes that one should be wary of are as follows:

1. An ulcer in the mouth that does not heal for a prolonged period
2. Fading skin colour anywhere inside the mouth
3. Stiffer cheek skin that shows some signs of a potential growth.
4. Throat infection that refuses to temper down
5. A painful sensation while swallowing food or water
6. Tongue numbness
7. Inability to move your jaws or tongue properly
8. An growth in your throat or anywhere else in your mouth

Oral carcinoma is not just a painful ailment but also potentially life-threatening which is why it is a good idea to steer clear of it by adopting the precautionary measures given below:

1. Live A Tobacco-Free Life – Tobacco, consumed in any form, is detrimental to oral health. Cigarettes, hookahs, snuff, e-cigarettes and other similar products that expose the insides of your mouth to tobacco can lead to the formation of malignant growths. Therefore, keep away from such substances to ensure maximum protection.
2. Don’t Overindulge In Alcohol – Excessive consumption of alcohol over an extended period can ruin your body’s immunity and its ability to resist the growth of cancer cells. Drink within the limits recommended by your doctor to avoid falling prey to oral carcinoma.
3. Schedule Dental Check-Ups Often – Visiting your dentist twice a year is an excellent way to maintain oral health. A dentist can spot oral cancer in its nascent stage and alert you, therefore, improving your chances of recovery. They will also be able to refer you to an appropriate specialist for further treatment.
4. Get Vaccinated For HPV – A specific strain of the HPV virus is one of the strongest perpetrators of oropharyngeal carcinoma and so, it is vital to get vaccinated for HPV in time. Using safety measures while having sex can also keep you away from the HPV virus.
5. Save Your Lips From Getting Overexposed To The Sun – The skin covering your lips is particularly sensitive and more prone to damage due to prolonged exposure to UV radiations. A lip salve that has a high SPF value can help form a protective coating on your lips. Similarly wearing a hat with a wide brim can help keep your lips shaded. If you have been treated for oral carcinoma, your chances of suffering from secondary cancer later are higher. Make sure that you go for routine follow-ups with your physician to catch any such development quickly.