The month of April is Oral Cancer Awareness Month. Every day, around 145 new cases of mouth cancer are diagnosed in the United States, and one person dies from oral cancer every hour of the day. When detected early in its development, oral malignancies can have a survival rate of 80 to 90%.
The following are some of the causes of oral cancer for adults:
- Tobacco smoking is the most common cause of oral cavity cancer. 5.7 million adults use smokeless tobacco, which is also linked to oral cancer. A smoker’s risk of mouth cancer is around 5 to 10 times that of a nonsmoker.
- Drinking alcohol increases your risk of developing some malignancies.
- Salt, fat, alcohol, and sugar are all known to cause or contribute to oral cavity cancer.
Symptoms of Oral Cancer
- A sore on the lip or mouth that does not heal
- A white or red area on the gums, tongue, or mouthline
- The ear is hurting
- Swallowing or chewing pain or difficulty
*Oral cancer causes for children:
Though oral cancer primarily affects adults, it can also impact youngsters. More than 90% of tumors in children’s mouths are benign. Excessive e-cigarette, and vaping use, as well as harboring the human papillomavirus (HPV), are key risk factors for mouth cancer in children. However, it is not impossible for children to get oral cancer, especially if they have other health issues or a hereditary predisposition. Parents should be aware of the signs and symptoms.
To learn more about how you can protect your child’s teeth, visit America’s ToothFairy!
Click here to learn how to check your mouth