What Daily Activities Can Lead to Oral Cancer?

Oral cancer is a type of cancer that occurs inside the mouth and back of the throat. The cancer appears as sores or growths in the mouth, lips, palates, tongue, sinuses, cheek linings, gums, or throat. It develops when the DNA of cells in the mouth or lips begins to change. The mutating cells grow, divide and accumulate in the mouth to form a cancerous tumor.

Various factors increase the risk of developing mouth cancer. These are lifestyle habits, gender, family history of cancer, and age. Oral cancer is fatal. The survival rates increase when the disease is diagnosed during oral cancer screening near you. Continue reading for symptoms, diagnosis, and oral cancer treatment in Ocoee, FL.

Common Symptoms of Oral Cancer

When you see any of the symptoms below, contact the Dental office in Ocoee for oral cancer screening:

1. Patches in the mouth that appear velvety red, white, or speckled
2. Bumps, spots, or swellings on the cheek, gums, lips, or other areas of the oral cavity
3. Sores on the neck, mouth, or face that do not heal within two weeks and bleed easily
4. Pain, numbness, loss of feeling in the face, neck, or mouth
5. Change in your bite or denture fitting because teeth become loose
6. Painful or difficulty swallowing, speaking, or moving the tongue
7. Ear pain
8. Chronic sore throat or soreness
9. Dramatic weight loss

Which Daily Activities Can Lead to Cancer?

Statistics indicate that men are more at risk of getting oral cancer than women. This is because men smoke more and use alcohol more frequently than women. Smoking or using smokeless tobacco greatly increases the chances of developing oral cancer. This is because it exposes the oral cells to chemicals that lead to cancer.

People who consume a lot of alcohol daily increase their chances of developing oral cancer. Excessive alcohol consumption irritates the cells in the mouth. Therefore, it makes them vulnerable to the disease. According to the dentist in 34761, the cancer cells mutate even faster in people who drink alcohol and smoke.

Excessive exposure to the sun’s radiation also increases the risk of developing oral cancer. Kids who frequently play when the sun is hot expose themselves to ultraviolet radiation leading to lip cancer. Sexually active people, particularly with multiple partners, are at risk of the cancer. The human papillomavirus (HPV) causes them to develop oral cancer.

Poor nutrition can also lead to oral cancer. For example, if you do not eat enough vegetables and fruits each day, you increase your chances of getting the disease. Poor oral hygiene can also lead to this cancer. When you brush and floss each day, you slow down or stop the cell mutation. Regular visits to the dentist in 34761 for dental exams will also prevent or delay mouth cancer.

Diagnosis and Treatment of Oral Cancer

Oral cancer screening is part of a regular dental checkup by a dentist near you. First, the dentist examines your mouth and lips to look for changes that could be signs of oral cancer. Then, more tests are carried out when they notice abnormalities that indicate oral cancer. For example, the dentist in Ocoee removes tissue samples from the part of the mouth with the symptoms.

These samples are taken to the laboratory ad analyzed for cancer. If cancerous cells are found, the dentist conducts more tests to determine their extent. The tests will show the exact stage of the disease. They, therefore, determine the treatment options.

Oral cancer treatment in Ocoee, FL, depends on the stage, location, and the patient’s overall health. The expert may recommend a single type of treatment or a combination of two or more treatments. Your dentist may refer you to the nearest oncologist. They may team up with oral and maxillofacial surgeons to provide the treatment.

The oral health experts at Smiles of Ocoee will perform surgery. They may remove the tumor or cells that spread to the lymph nodes in the neck. This is followed by radiation therapy and chemotherapy. Dr. Freddy Mezquia may also carry out targeted drug therapy and immunotherapy. The team at the dental office will help with your oral care before, during, and after the treatment. Contact us today for oral cancer screening and treatment.