Watch for unusual changes in the mouth area, such as sores that don’t go away.
REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA — There are many things that can trigger canker sores, ranging from viral infections to vitamin B12 deficiency. Trigger ulcer Another thing that can rarely be realized is oral cancer.
Oral cancer is cancer that occurs in various areas of the oral cavity. This cancer can appear on the lips, gums, tongue, lining of the cheeks, palate, floor of the mouth under the tongue.
Oral cancer is included in a type of head and neck cancer, as reported by Mayo Clinic. In general, the therapy that can be administered oral cancer they are surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy.
The sooner oral cancer is found, the better the chances of successful treatment. One way to find oral cancer early is to recognize its symptoms.
Symptoms of oral cancer are often discovered during routine oral and dental exams at the dentist. It’s just that not everyone gets regular dental and oral checkups at the dentist.
“(In a routine examination) the dentist will perform a visual examination of the cheeks, tongue, gums, lips and palate,” explained Clinical Oncologist Consultant and Medical Director of Proton Therapy UK, Dr. To expressAhad (8/1/2023).
One of the symptoms of oral cancer is canker sores. Canker sores associated with oral cancer usually have two characteristics, which are painful and do not improve after a few weeks.
“Oral thrush should improve within three weeks, and the same goes for nodules on the (inner) cheeks and/or neck,” says Dr. Ramkumar.
Other symptoms that may also be seen in cases of oral cancer are persistent lumps or swelling in the mouth and neck, bleeding or numbness in the tongue or lips, and unexplained weight loss. Oral cancer can also cause symptoms such as pain when swallowing and reddish or white patches in the mouth.
In regards to oral cancer symptoms, Dr. Ramkumar recommends that people check their mouth area at least once a month. The ideal surface of the oral cavity should appear pink and healthy.
“It’s a good thing to make a habit of looking inside your mouth every month,” says Dr. Ramkumar.
When you do the exam, look out for any unusual changes that appear in the mouth area. Also check the entire mouth area including the tongue and under the tongue. Feel free to use your fingers to move your tongue or lips up and down, so that you can see the entire mouth area clearly.
“Also use your finger to feel for any abnormalities in your inner cheek,” says Dr. Ramkumar.
These regular checkups are recommended for everyone, especially those at risk. For example, people who have a habit of smoking or consuming alcohol excessively.
“Even teeth that shake for no reason need to be further examined by a professional,” explained Dr. Ramkumar.
