If you have symptoms such as small glands in the mouth, recurrent bleeding in the mouth and throat, difficulty in chewing and swallowing, you should see a dentist immediately. Because these symptoms can be signs of oral cancer.

Our doctors told us what should be known about the rapidly spreading oral cancer from diagnosis to treatment.

Cancer in the mouth, larynx, tonsils, lips or salivary glands, especially the lower lip; is oral cancer.

Over 45 and Especially Men Attention
As with all other cancers, early diagnosis is very important in oral cancer, which is especially common in people over the age of 45 and in men. With the early diagnosis of the disease, its spread to other parts of the body, difficulty in speaking, facial deformity can be prevented, and the treatment process becomes easier.

Symptoms of Oral Cancer
The person can question the possibility of having the disease himself by answering the following questions:
• Are there white or red areas in or around the mouth?
• Are there sensitive, irritated, raised or thickened areas inside the mouth?
• Do the sores in the mouth last for more than 1 month or do not heal when the factor is removed?
• Is there recurrent bleeding in the mouth or throat?
• Is there a hoarseness in the voice or a sensation of an object in the throat that cannot be swallowed?
• Do you have difficulty chewing and swallowing?
• Do you have difficulty in tongue and jaw movements?
• Loss of feeling, numbness in the tongue or other parts of the mouth?
• Are there any swellings in the lower or upper jaw? And as a result, is the deterioration of the existing prosthesis compatibility observed?

What Smokers Should Pay Special Attention to
Especially, smokers should pay attention to the signs of thickening of the epithelial tissue covering the mouth with heat and chemicals. White lesions, which are formed by the absorption of water by this tissue, are unfortunately of great importance in terms of cancer. In case of bleeding of white spots, it is necessary to consult a dentist as soon as possible.

Causes of Oral Cancer
Nobody wants to get any disease. However, it is obvious that there are certain causes that lead to every disease. As with all diseases, it is necessary to have information about the main causes of oral cancer. Let's examine these reasons together:
• Any condition that may cause chronic trauma to the mouth
• Removable prostheses that are not compatible with the mouth
• Persistent irritation of the tongue or cheek by poorly made or sharp-edged fillings, crowns or bridges
• Use of alcohol, cigarettes or both
• Hereditary factors
• Lack of oral hygiene

Treatment Stage of Oral Cancer
Treatment often requires complete removal of cancer-affected tissues, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, or their combined use. It may be necessary to apply to maxillofacial prostheses to replace the tissues removed after the operation. If speech is affected, it may be necessary to seek help from a speech therapist. It may also be beneficial to seek psychological help for people who find the process exhausting.

Oral Health During Treatment
Before starting the treatment, the person must be examined for the mouth and all treatments must be completed. Decayed teeth should be treated, and teeth that could be a source of infection should be extracted. Precautions can be taken against tooth decay with the application of protective fillings to the teeth without caries and various preparations of fluoride.

Not paying attention to oral health during treatment makes the already difficult process more difficult. Therefore, oral care should be very good. After brushing the teeth, floss should be used and maximum hygiene should be provided by brushing the soft tissues, tongue and cheeks.
Medications prescribed by the doctor should be used to increase saliva secretion, and this should be contributed by chewing sugarless gum.
Alcohol and cigarettes should not be used.

How to Reduce the Risk of Oral Cancer?
There are things to do as a precaution to reduce the risk of mouth cancer! You can examine what will be done in terms of items, and you can immediately proceed to the implementation.
• Do not use tobacco products such as cigarettes, pipes, and do not chew tobacco.
• If you drink alcohol, do not overdo it.
• The risk of oral cancer in people who use both alcohol and tobacco products is 15 times higher than people who do not use alcohol and tobacco products. Do not use alcohol and cigarettes together.
• Eat a diet rich in fruits and vegetables.
• Do not neglect to visit the dentist regularly.
• Pay attention to the wounds that appear in the mouth for no reason and that they do not occur frequently and last for a long time.