Symptoms of oral cancer that shouldn't be taken lightly: Doctors explain

Most people believe that tooth decay or shedding teeth is normal during old age. However, you could enjoy strong teeth and good dental health at any age if you maintain proper oral hygiene. Dental issues shouldn’t be ignored, as infections inside the mouth or gum diseases could adversely affect other organs in the body. Dr JS Shaleesh and Dr Aleena Mary Varghese of the Indian Dental Association, Kottarakkara, explain. 

Dental health in the elderly
Elderly people often taken more than one medicine for multiple health conditions. Some of those medicines make the mouth drier. Lack of saliva may cause tooth decay, bad breath, gum diseases and fungal infections. It may be difficult for the elderly to brush properly or maintain oral hygiene due to difficulty moving hands, loss of vision or memory loss. The family members should act as pillars of support in such situations. 

Save your teeth
Losing teeth is definitely not a sign of ageing. Instead, gum diseases or delay in consulting a dentist are the main reasons for that. Most people falsely think that everything is alright if there is no pain. However, many gum diseases and some severe oral diseases begin without any pain. 

Dentures
Those who are using dentures should ensure that they are cleaned properly every day. Taking out the dentures at night gives rest to the cells in your mouth and reduces the risk of infection. Consult your dentist if the dentures get loose or cause pain. 

Oral cancer
Oral cancer is one of the most common cancers in India. Most cases of oral cancer are related to tobacco and pan masala consumption, smoking and excessive alcohol consumption. Mouth ulcers that do not heal within two weeks, white or red patches in the mouth, difficulty opening the mouth, difficulty swallowing, and a persistent burning sensation are some of the common symptoms of oral cancer. Treatment will be more effective if the disease is diagnosed at the early stages.