03:02 PM
Friday, February 17, 2023
Books – Sayed Metwally
Like the rest of the body, our mouths require care to make sure they stay healthy. Regular brushing, flossing, and even tongue scraping are some ways to prevent problems. However, some changes in the mouth might be due to something serious.
And the British dentist, Dr. Nilesh Parmar, revealed some signs in your mouth that you should be careful of, according to the Express website.
One such sign is leukoplakia — or white patches in your mouth. These can appear on the tongue, inside the cheeks, and even the gums.
According to Dr. Parmar, this sign might be a symptom of oral cancer.
He explained: “White lesions that persist in the mouth for longer than two weeks should always be checked. These can be due to trauma such as tongue rubbing once morest a sharp tooth, or something more serious such as oral cancer.”
He added, “This is more common in smokers and alcoholics, and if detected early, it can be removed and the patient treated successfully.”
According to the NHS, these spots:
It’s not painful
It is of irregular shape
It may be slightly red in color
It cannot be rubbed or scraped (stains that can be removed can be oral thrush).
And the health authority warns that “if you have this mark, there is a small risk that it can develop into oral cancer over time, which is why it is important that you visit a dentist if you have a white spot in your mouth.”
Treatment for leukoplakia is not always needed, but you will have regular check-ups to make sure the patch does not enlarge. Sometimes surgery is needed to remove the patch if there is a risk it might become cancerous.
This can be done while the area is numbed (local anesthetic) or while you are asleep (general anesthesia).
The graft can be removed in several ways, including using a laser or a surgical scalpel.
Smoking is one of the main causes of leukoplakia and oral cancer, and therefore it should be eliminated
Other ways to reduce risk include:
Taking care of your teeth and gums
Have regular dental check-ups
If you wear dentures, make sure they fit properly
Eat a well-balanced diet, including plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables
Oral cancer can also appear as:
Mouth sores that are painful and do not heal within several weeks
Unexplained, persistent lumps in the mouth or neck that don’t go away
Unexplained loose teeth or cavities that don’t heal
Persistent unexplained numbness or a strange feeling on the lip or tongue
Red spots on the lining of the mouth or tongue
Changes in speech, such as a lisp.
If you experience any of these symptoms, you should see a doctor.