Personal habits can
contribute to your risk of oral cancer. Therefore, it’s more productive to see
oral cancer prevention through the lens of risk reduction. The best thing you
can do is follow these tips to reduce your risk. If you aim to prevent mouth cancer
entirely, pay attention, and take action now. You can lower your odds of contracting oral
cancer, or boost your odds of catching it early.
Quit or avoid tobacco use
If you want to help
prevent oral cancer, quit tobacco use. All forms of tobacco use, from
cigarettes to chew to snuff, increase your risk of cancer of all kinds. Quitting
can help prevent mouth cancer. Prevention of oral cancer involves managing many
factors, but tobacco is one of the most important. If you currently use it,
quitting should be your top priority.
Don’t drink in excess
Quitting tobacco
use is just one of the ways to prevent oral cancer. Reducing or giving up
alcohol is another great tool in your oral cancer prevention toolbox. Excessive
drinking can irritate the cells in your mouth, making you more susceptible to
cancer. The more often you drink, the higher your risk. If you’re serious about
preventing oral cancer, keep your drinks under two a day for men and one a day
for women. There is some give and take; having multiple drinks once a month
will present a lower risk than drinking two drinks a day for a month.
Brushing and flossing work
wonders
Brushing and
flossing will keep your mouth healthy. Mouth cancer prevention begins with
healthy gums and mouth. A healthy mouth will reduce your risk of oral cancer by
keeping your immune system strong. A weak mouth full of bacteria, cuts, and
abscesses will weaken your immune system. This allows more potentially
cancerous cells to flourish. Brush and floss, and your immune system will stay
stronger for longer. Prevention of mouth cancer doesn’t have to be that
complicated. Just stay on top of brushing and flossing.
Limit sun exposure
One of the
lesser known causes of mouth cancer is sun exposure. You should limit your
lips’ exposure to UV light. Not only will it help keep your lips looking
younger, it can reduce your risk over all. Oral cancer causes major problems,
as it can easily spread. If you have to be out in the sun often, invest in a UV
blocking chap stick. You’ll reduce fine lines and wrinkles and engage in oral
cancer prevention at the same time.
Visit the dentist regularly
For the most up
to date information on mouth cancer, contact your dentist. In general, make
appointments for checkups and tooth cleanings and stick with them. While your
dentist checks your teeth, they can also look for unusual changes or growths in
your mouth. A talk with your dentist about what causes cancer of the mouth will
help you identify your highest risk factors. Your dentist can help you put
together a plan to reduce them.
Oral cancer is treatable
when caught early. Changing your personal habits may prevent oral cancer
entirely. Do your part to take an active role in managing your risk. Visit Dr. Cureton, brush and floss, and cut down on sun exposure, alcohol, and tobacco
use. You’ll look and feel better, while cutting out causes of mouth cancer.
