You haven’t visited your dentist for a checkup in a while. Generally speaking, you take good care of your teeth. You’ve recently let your dental hygiene slip a little because of your kid’s hectic schedules in school and sports and your own demanding job.
Because of recent reports linking oral health to health problems, you’ve grown concerned that by neglecting your teeth, you’re putting your own health at risk.
Yes, you might be endangering your health, according to study. In fact, some research have indicated that poor oral hygiene practices may contribute to serious illnesses including oral cancer.
Oral cancer: What is it?
Body cells have the capacity to divide, grow, and perish. A cancer cell is a cell that stops functioning normally and develops abnormalities. When cells in the mouth develop abnormally and start to grow and spread, it is called oral cancer. These aberrant cells harm the surrounding tissues by attacking other healthy cells.
Oral cavity is the term used in science to refer to the mouth. The oral cavity includes your teeth, gums, the portion of your tongue that is in the centre of your mouth, the bottom of your mouth, and the roof of your mouth. It also includes the inner and outside of your lips, the inside of your cheeks, your teeth, and your gums. There are several key locations where oral malignancies typically occur in the mouth.
Oropharynx, the region in the rear of the mouth where the throat is located, is another location where oral cancer can be diagnosed. Oropharyngeal carcinoma, often known as throat cancer, is this type of oral cancer. The tonsils, the area in the upper throat, the back of the tongue, and the rear of the roof of the mouth are the typical locations for tonsil cancer.
Oral Cancer Symptoms and Risk Factors
Oral cancer symptoms sometimes resemble other diseases or ailments of the mouth, lips, and throat in appearance or sensation. A lump that doesn’t go away or a sore that doesn’t heal are the most typical signs of oral cancer. Other signs of oral cancer include persistent poor breath, loose teeth, white or red patches in the mouth or throat, difficulties swallowing or chewing, a lump in the neck, and unexplained chronic mouth, tooth, or jaw pain.
Oral cancer does not have a definite cause, but there are a number of established risk factors. Use of tobacco products, such as cigarettes or chewing tobacco, excessive alcohol use, a family history of mouth cancer, and the HPV virus can all be risk factors. The chance of developing lip cancer is known to increase with excessive sun exposure.
Link Studies Poor Oral Hygiene Increases the Risk of Oral Cancer
Poor oral hygiene was linked to a significantly increased risk factor for oral cancer, according to the findings of a recent case study conducted in India and published by the National Center for Biotechnology Information. Individuals who not only had poor oral hygiene but also used chewing tobacco had the highest risk of developing oral cancer.
The case study’s result suggested that maintaining a decent oral hygiene regimen greatly decreased the risk of developing oral cancer. The case study’s definition of good oral hygiene included using toothpaste to brush teeth many times each day, scheduling routine dental exams, and having no more than a few missing teeth.
The study came to the conclusion that a poor diet and smoking tobacco products were additional risk factors for oral cancer. The case study noted that the best approaches to significantly minimise the risk of developing oral cancer were to give up smoking, refrain from chewing tobacco, restrict alcohol consumption, and eat a well-balanced diet rich in fruits and vegetables.
Visits to the dentist to prevent oral cancer
The teeth, gums, tongue, lips, and throat region can all suffer serious harm as a result of oral cancer. Oral cancer can spread to other body parts if it is not treated. Oral cancer can be detected and diagnosed by skilled dental offices like Naseem dental centre.
Oral cancer can be avoided with regular dental checkups. The professional experts at Naseem Dental Clinic can explain how poor oral hygiene might result in oral cancer and what steps you can take to start a healthy oral hygiene routine during your dental appointment.
