Mouth cancer is a type of cancer that occurs in the mouth. It most often develops in the tongue, but it can also develop on the lips, gums, salivary gland (parotid), floor of the mouth, and inside of the cheeks.Â
There are two main types of mouth cancer:
- Oral cavity cancer, which affects the mouth and lips. It begins in the moist lining tissues of the mouth or throat.
- Pharyngeal cancer, which affects the pharynx (throat) and begins in the mucous membranes of the throat.
Some of the Common symptoms of mouth cancer include:
- Change in the size or shape of a lump in the mouth.
- Painful sores inside the mouth that don’t heal after two weeks.
- Problems chewing or swallowing food.
- A sore that bleeds easily and doesn’t heal for more than two weeks.
- Losing of Teeths.
- Swollen lymph nodes in the neck, armpits, or groin.
What Causes Mouth Cancer?
- Tobacco smoking: Tobacco contains over 50 chemicals that are known to cause cancer. People who smoke or chew tobacco are five times more likely to develop mouth cancer than those who don’t. Long-term use of smokeless tobacco (snuff or chewing tobacco) also increases the risk of developing mouth cancer. Up to 90 percent of patients with mouth cancer are tobacco users.
- Alcohol consumption: Alcoholic beverages contain organic and inorganic acids which promote erosion of the teeth’ enamel and cause chronic inflammation of the soft tissues in the mouth. The combination of alcohol and oral infections increases one’s chance of developing mouth cancer significantly.
- Poor dental hygiene: Poor dental hygiene makes it easier for germs to enter the tissues of the mouth and cause infections which may eventually lead to mouth cancer.
- Family history: Those who have had family members afflicted with head/neck cancers are more prone to develop it themselves.
Easy Tips To Avoid the Risk Factors of Oral Cancer
- Don’t Drink Too Much AlcoholÂ
- Avoid Smoking
- Try to Maintain Healthy Oral Habits
- Check With Your Dentist Regularly
- Eat Healthy Food
What are Some of the Five Healthy Mouth Cancer Preventive Foods that You Should Eat?
- Eat Berries like Blueberries, Raspberries, Goji berries, Strawberries, Bilberries, Açaà berries, Cranberries, Grapes etc.
- Fish is healthy. Fish-friendly diets are healthier. It can help to prevent cancer and periodontal disease.
- Have Coffee, It may Reduce the Risk of Oral and Oropharyngeal Cancer.
- Eating Milk and Dairy Food may possibly Reduce the Risk as well.
- Citrus Fruits like Oranges, Lemon, Grape Fruit can also lower the risk of Mouth Cancer.
Treatment Options of Mouth Cancer
There are many types of mouth cancer treatments available. Like – surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, targeted therapy, etc. Generally, after surgery, radiotherapy may be given to prevent cancer recurrence.
But the standard treatment for mouth cancer can cause complications like swallowing, speaking and breathing difficulties, etc
Therefore, the above treatments for this kind of cancer should aim to avoid complications including difficulty in swallowing, speaking and so on.You can also visit cancer surgeries hospitals to consult them regarding your cancer but make sure to pick a hospital on the basis of its Reviews, Doctors, Patient Survival Rate etc.