Just as many folks brush to keep their breath fresh or to prevent cavities, there are much heavier reasons. Just consider for a moment what could become true if you were to skip your nightly flossing; eventually, you would be putting yourself at risk of potentially getting oral cancer.
Maybe it sounds a bit too exaggerated. However, this is a real issue when it comes to poor oral hygiene and oral cancer. Keeping your mouth clean is not just about being able to boast a pretty smile but rather more about safeguarding health- and possibly life.
Oral Cancer: What Is It and Why Is It Important?
Oral cancers are those in the mouth, including the lips, tongue, cheeks, floor of the mouth, gums, and up to the roof of the mouth. These aggressive types of cancer can be life-threatening if they aren’t discovered earlier.
Some common indicators of oral cancers include:
- Sores or ulcers that don’t go away
- Swelling lumps or thickened areas of the mouth
- Difficulty in swallowing or chewing
- Numbness or pain in the tongue or jaw
- Red or white spots in the mouth
Major risk factors involve smoking, heavy consumption of alcohol, HPV, and poor oral hygiene, the last often ignored.
How Poor Oral Hygiene Can Raise Your Risk for Cancer?
How does skipping using your toothbrush have anything to do with developing cancer?
- Bacteria Buildup: Avoid cleaning your mouth regularly and harmful bacteria will multiply. These bacteria generate toxins that can further consume and damage soft tissues inside your mouth.
- Gum Disease and Chronic Inflammation: Poor oral hygiene leads to gum disease, which eventually leads to chronic inflammation. This weakens the immune defense and creates fertile ground for cancer changes in mouth cells.
- Tissue Vulnerability: An unkempt mouth is more susceptible to other cancer-inducing agents like tobacco and alcohol. Imagine it like a weakened wall: easier to break by a dangerous substance.
- Stress on the Immune System: Constant infections and inflammation wear out your immune system, decreasing the ability to fight precancerous or cancerous growths.
If you’ve been putting off cleaning your teeth regularly, now is probably the best time to do something about it. According to an Irvine dentist, early signs of oral cancer are most often detected during dental visits, but people keep postponing or avoiding them in droves.
Warning Signs to Observe
Even if you don’t smoke or drink, just not taking care of your mouth can put you at risk. Just watch out for the following:
- Swollen congealing areas or bleeding gums
- Sores that last more than two weeks
- Numbness or pain that cannot be identified
- Changes in how the teeth fit against each other
- Any new lumps or thick patches inside the mouth
Simple Ways to Stay Protected
The good news? You can minimize the risk of developing oral cancer through simple habits that you can incorporate into your daily life.
- Brush your teeth at least twice a day with fluoride toothpaste
- Floss on a daily basis to remove unseen plaque
- Use an antimicrobial mouthwash to reduce bacteria
- Avoid any and all forms of tobacco
- Limit your alcohol intake
- Eat a balanced diet rich with fruits and vegetables
- Visit your dentist every 6 months for professional cleanings and oral exams.
It’s not just about cavities; it’s about recognizing early signs of serious illness and keeping a healthy and strong mouth for life!
Your mouth is one of the critical parts of the body, and as such, it deserves your complete attention. Bad oral hygiene isn’t only cosmetic; it can be the opening into something deadly like oral cancer.
So just a few changes to your routine here and there will help you protect yourself from the serious consequences later on. When you brush your teeth tonight, remember that you are not just cleaning your teeth; you are saving your future!
