How to perform oral self-examination to detect signs of oral cancer early

1. Who is prone to oral ulcers?

The probability of disease is higher in people aged 40-60, and male patients are more than female patients. In the context of aging, the proportion of elderly people suffering from diseases has increased, and there are some common problems: a history of smoking and drinking, some patients have been drinking and smoking for a long time; oral problems, such as residual roots and crowns of teeth in the mouth; bad restorations in the mouth, some patients did not go to regular hospitals for dentures, which stimulated the buccal mucosa and tooth roots; a history of oral mucosal diseases, which may become malignant and develop into oral cancer; some people like to chew betel nuts, but betel nuts are carcinogens, which can easily increase the probability of disease.

2. What symptoms should alert you to oral cancer?

Based on the location of occurrence, the disease is divided into buccal mucosal cancer, tongue cancer, floor of mouth cancer, gingival cancer, palate cancer, etc. Tongue cancer is generally on the side edge of the tongue, or on the back of the tongue, and is mainly of the ulcer type. Most patients will think it is a general oral ulcer and directly use the corresponding medicine, which affects the condition. Buccal mucosal cancer and gingival cancer are also ulcerative types, and there is a problem of progressive mouth opening limitation. In severe cases, the mouth cannot be opened. As the disease progresses, palate cancer may cause problems with the mouth and nose communicating. Floor of mouth cancer is mainly squamous cell carcinoma, which is generally of ulcerative type. At the same time, the patient's saliva becomes more, painful, and tongue movement is limited. Some patients have difficulty swallowing, which affects language function. Regardless of the type of oral cancer, there are symptoms of oral ulcers. If it has not healed for more than two weeks, it should be taken seriously and go to the hospital for diagnosis as soon as possible. Doctors provide treatment plans based on experience and expertise. If a general oral ulcer is suspected, it can be treated in a targeted manner. The patient should not eat irritating foods and go to the hospital for a follow-up examination after one or two weeks. If a traumatic ulcer is suspected, the ulcer will heal on its own if the cause is removed. If a cancerous ulcer is suspected, an oral biopsy is required to determine the subsequent treatment plan based on the pathology.

3. What is the difference between oral ulcers caused by oral cancer and general oral ulcers?

There are many factors that cause oral ulcers, such as staying up late for a long time, genetic factors, reduced immunity, women's menstrual period, high mental stress, digestive system diseases and functional disorders, systemic diseases, etc. Oral ulcers caused by these factors are softer, and the surface is generally covered with a yellow-white pseudomembrane, with a sunken center, clear boundaries, and red edges. They appear in different parts of the mouth and usually heal on their own in about a week. In addition to being self-limiting, recurrent oral ulcers are also recurrent and cyclical, and generally do not appear in the same location. Oral ulcers caused by oral cancer generally occur in the same location and do not heal themselves for a long time. They are shaped like cauliflower, feel bumpy to the touch, have a hard texture, and are painful and have a foul odor.

4. How to prevent oral cancer?

( 1 ) Do not smoke or drink. Alcohol is a solvent for carcinogens, which can cause carcinogens to enter the oral mucosa and promote their growth. Some people neglect oral hygiene, which provides conditions for bacteria to reproduce. Therefore, people with a history of smoking and drinking should quit smoking and drinking in time to prevent oral cancer.

( 2 ) Pay attention to oral hygiene. Patients should pay attention to oral hygiene in their daily lives, develop a good habit of brushing their teeth in the morning and evening, and use medicine or saline to rinse their mouths to reduce bacteria in the mouth. Avoid food residues that further aggravate the infection.

( 3 ) Balanced diet. Patients should eat more foods rich in vitamins A, B, and E, as well as foods rich in the trace element selenium, and try to avoid eating high-fat foods.

( 4 ) Have regular oral examinations. To prevent oral cancer, you should develop a good habit of regular oral examinations. Oral examinations can help you understand your oral health in a timely manner, detect lesions in a timely manner, and treat them as soon as possible. Therefore, you need to have your teeth cleaned and have an oral examination once a year.

( 5 ) Exercise appropriately. Exercise can improve your physical fitness and immunity, and is beneficial to gastrointestinal health.

( 6 ) Treat oral ulcers promptly. If oral ulcers are found, they should be treated promptly. If they do not heal for a long time or recur, the oral mucosa will be repeatedly damaged, increasing the probability of disease.

( 7 ) Avoid oral irritation. For example, sharp residual teeth in the mouth or wearing ill-fitting dentures can irritate the oral mucosa and increase the probability of disease.

( 8 ) Other preventive measures. Because diseases are hereditary, people with a family history should have regular oral examinations. In addition, some people with bad habits, such as long-term chewing of betel nuts, need to correct their bad habits in a timely manner.

To prevent oral cancer, we should start with our lifestyle and diet, pay attention to oral health, avoid various stimuli and bad habits, and reduce the probability of disease.

Author: Huang Dingyang , Department of Stomatology, First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi University of Chinese Medicine