The single leading cause of cancer of the mouth is tobacco usage both smokeless tobacco and cigarette smoking. Apart from smoking, excessive alcohol consumption may also lead to oral cancer. It affects 30000 people in the United States every year.
Carcinogens contained in smokeless tobacco and smoking tobacco alter the cell DNA in your mouth predisposing a smoker to cancer. Within the mouth cancer may occur underneath the tongue between the cheek and the gums where chewing tobacco is held and even on the tongue.
Oral cancer can be cured best if detected early. However, in most cases when symptoms show it will be advanced making it difficult to control. Chewing tobacco users and smokers in general are advised to constantly check for tissue lesions in the mouth which normally are precancerous. Sores and redness in the mouth must be left to heal and checked out to avoid precancerous wounds.
Misfitting dentures - oral cancer also causes loose teeth
Bleeding from the mouth
Pain in the neck
Lump in the neck
Once these symptoms have been identified, there is need for a professional medical evaluation by your physician. The first and foremost thing to do before any medication is to quit smoking.
Quitting smoking is admittedly hard yet it can be done. Studies show that following a stop smoking program and using stop smoking aids doubles success rates in most people. If you are deciding on stopping smoking you will require adequate information as well as good tools to help you succeed. Whilst we understand that not all tools are meant for everyone we found this LifeSign QuitKey Smoking Cessation Computer handy. It works like a quit smoking program which alters your smoking routine easing you off cigarettes gradually. Please take your time to check if this is for you.