Skip to main content

Oral Cancer Symptoms and Causes

 


What is Oral Cancer?

Oral cancer is a type of cancer that affects the tissues of the mouth. It can occur on any part of the mouth, including the lips, tongue, gums, inside of the cheeks, and roof or floor of the mouth. Oral cancer may also spread to other parts of the body, such as the throat, jaw, and head and neck.

Mouth cancer is a general term used to describe a number of cancers that start in the region of the mouth. The most common type of mouth cancer is squamous cell carcinoma, which begins in the thin, flat cells that line the inside of the mouth and lips. Other types of mouth cancer include:

- Adenocarcinoma

- Lymphoma

- Melanoma

- Sarcoma

Symptoms

The symptoms of oral cancer can vary depending on the location and size of the tumor. They may include:

- A sore or lesion in the mouth

- Red or white patches on the lips, tongue, gums, or inner cheeks

- Lump or thickening in the cheek

- Painless swelling on one side of the face

- Difficulty chewing or swallowing

- Ear pain

- Changes in the voice, such as hoarseness

- Unexplained weight loss

If you experience any of these symptoms, it's important to see a dentist or doctor as soon as possible. Early diagnosis and treatment are key to preventing the spread of oral cancer.

 

Causes

The cause of most oral cancers is not known. However, there are some things that may increase your risk of developing oral cancer. Oral cancer is most often caused by tobacco use and heavy alcohol consumption. However, it can also be caused by HPV, the human papillomavirus. HPV is a sexually transmitted virus that can cause cervical cancer, anal cancer, and other types of cancer.

Causes of mouth cancer are not fully understood, but include:

- Smoking

- Drinking alcohol

- Chewing tobacco

- Exposure to sunlight or UV radiation

- A poor diet

- HPV infection

- Having a family history of cancer

- Being over 50 years’ old

 

Treatment

If you are diagnosed with oral cancer, your dentist will work with you to develop a treatment plan. Oral cancer can be a very serious disease and can often be cured if it is caught early. The type of treatment you receive will depend on the type of cancer, where it is located and how far it has spread.

If the cancer is caught early, it may be treated with surgery or radiation therapy. If cancer has spread, chemotherapy may be used. In some cases, dental implants may also be recommended to replace missing teeth or stabilize jaw function. Your dentist can provide more information about the specific treatment options available to you.

 

Prevention

To keep your mouth healthy and reduce your risk of oral cancer, you should:

- See a dentist for regular check-ups

- Keep your teeth and gums healthy

- Floss daily

- Avoid smoking, chewing tobacco, and drinking alcohol

- Use sunscreen when outdoors

- Eat a healthy diet

Oral cancer is a serious disease that can have a negative impact on your quality of life if not treated early. It’s important to be aware of the signs and symptoms of oral cancer, and to see your dentist neutral bay for regular check-ups. If you notice any symptoms listed above, please book an appointment with us right away. We want to help you get the treatment you need as soon as possible.

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

What is Smile Makeover? Where do you get the best smile makeover?

Smile makeover is the process of creating the smile you want. It involves combining cosmetic dental treatments like teeth whitening, bonding, veneers and laser dentistry to change your smile. Where do you get smile makeover done? Gold Coast Dental Haus provides smile makeovers in Palm Beach, QLD. With our smile makeovers, we offer a broad range of  cosmetic dental services  that will transform your smile into something beautiful and perfect for you. Cosmetic dentist Dr Rhea Allsopp offers an unmatched suite of smile makeover treatment at  Palm Beach Dental . Our extensive experience has shown us what works best for our clients to create truly fantastic smiles. We have everything covered from basic care through to complex procedures like smile makeovers. What does smile makeover include? A  smile makeover  includes all the above procedures depending on your smile needs. We at Dental Haus offer smile makeovers consisting of cosmetic dental treatments like teeth whitening, bonding, veneer

What Are the Benefits of Invisalign Treatments?

  What is Invisalign? Invisalign  is a discreet, removable and comfortable orthodontic treatment that helps to straighten and align teeth without the need for conventional braces.  Braces  are often much maligned by those who need to wear them because of how visible they can be on the teeth.   Benefits Invisalign offers an alternative to braces that is much more discreet, as the aligners are clear and almost invisible when worn. Another benefit of  Invisalign  is that it is very comfortable to wear. The aligners are made from a soft plastic that fits snugly against the teeth, and they can be removed for eating and cleaning. This means that there is no need to restrict what you eat while you are wearing them, and you can keep your teeth clean and healthy as normal.   Invisalign is a great choice for those who want to straighten their teeth but do not want the stigma of wearing braces. It is also a good option for people who have a busy lifestyle, as the aligners can be remov

How to Brush Your Teeth Properly?

Some people think that brushing their teeth for two minutes is enough, but a dentist says that's not true. In this blog post, we'll tell you how to brush your teeth properly, based on the recommendations of a dentist. Brushing your teeth is an important part of your oral health . However, if you’re not brushing them properly, you could be doing more harm than good. Here are dentist-approved tips for brushing your teeth properly: Use a pea-sized amount of toothpaste on your toothbrush. Place the toothbrush at a 45-degree angle against your gum line and use gentle circular motions. Be sure to brush on the inside surfaces of your teeth and to use a light back and forth motion on the chewing surfaces of your molars. Spit out the toothpaste after brushing. Do not rinse with water. Finish by flossing. If you’re having trouble brushing your teeth properly, ask your dentist near me for help. They can show you the best way to brush your teeth and can recommend a toothpast