Mouthwash Effects and Oral Cavity Cancer | Oral Health Care Tips
Mouthwash Effects on Oral Health:
Australian scientists claim that the use of mouthwashes can significantly increase the chances of developing oral cavity cancer by up to 9 times.
The dental experts from the University of Queensland and the University of Melbourne, Australia, say that mouthwashes may aid in the treatment and management of dental plaque, caries, and periodontal diseases, but they ought to be employed for a short period only, and should be used as an accessory to other measures of oral hygiene such as flossing and brushing.
Furthermore, the risk is augmented if the user smokes cigarettes, or drinks alcohol.
Mouthwashes that contain more than 20 % alcohol could have other side effects as well, such as, gingivitis (swelling of the gums), petechiae (red blood spots), and detachment of cells and tissues lining the oral cavity.
The prolonged use of mouthwashes containing alcohol should be avoided.
Oral Hygiene Tips:
- Ensure that you brush your teeth at least twice a day, after meals.
- Gargle your mouth well to dislodge food particles that could have got stuck in between teeth.
- Never skip cleaning and scraping the tongue. The tongue also harbors a host of microbes which could also cause dental caries.
- And lastly, flossing should be a part of the dental hygiene.
- Regular visits to the dentists’ are advocated as a prophylactic / preventive measure and to aid in early detection of teeth troubles.
- What’s more, ensure that your diet is rich in vitamin C.The vitamin C status in the diet and body is greatly linked to your dental health.
Oral Cancer Symptoms:
- A swelling / lump or a non healing ulcer on the lip, the sides of the mouth, tongue or the throat.
- Unusual bleeding
- Pain
- A sore throat that does not heal
- Hoarseness of the voice that does not get better, or a change in the tone of voice
- Difficulty in swallowing
- Changes in the denture fittings
Causes of Oral Cavity Cancer:
- Extreme smoking of cigarettes and chewing of tobacco are associated with a heightened risk of developing oral cancers.
- Excessive alcohol consumption is another causative factor. (It is believed that a blend of tobacco and alcohol is a more potent risk factor, than the use of either one alone).
- Viral infections, especially HPV infection, (human papilloma virus) increases the chances of developing lip cancer.
- Poor and inadequate nutritional status augments the chances of developing mouth cancers.
- Immune system being compromised is another significant risk factor.
- Exposure to sunlight and UV light is known to increase the danger of getting lip cancer.
Treatment for Oral Cancer:
- Invariably surgical intervention is required to fight the cancerous growth.
- Surgery used in conjunct with radiotherapy and chemotherapy increases the 5 year survival rate and prognosis.
- Supplementary measures such as – good dental cleanliness, an appropriate diet (loaded with anti-oxidants) and regular follow ups with the physician are a must.
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December 25, 2009 | Filed Under
Health Research and News
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Oral cancer affects lips, tongue, cheek, base of mouth, throat etc. There are many symptoms seen like swelling, red and white patches inside the mouth, bleeding, difficulty in chewing, loss in weight etc. Lot of smoking and drinking are the major causes of oral cancer. Proper diet is very much necessary for curing oral cancer.
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