7 Ways to Prevent Oral Cancer

Taking care of your oral health is a very important part of the holistic approach. We use our mouths for a lot of things including eating, drinking and speaking. Your lifestyle and habits can affect your oral health in the long run. Because of this early detection of oral cancer is vital. Oral cancer generally develops in the tongue and in the mouth walls. It can spread through the lymphatic system and bloodstream to other parts of the body, including lymph nodes, neck, and lungs. Causes of oral cancer include smoking or chewing tobacco, consuming more than three alcoholic drinks per day and exposure to ultra-violet light. Here’s how you can take an active role in preventing oral cancer or detecting it in its early stages.

1.Quit smoking since tobacco contains at least 50 carcinogens that are linked to cancer.

2. Eliminate or reduce your intake of alcohol.
3. Protect your skin from prolonged sun exposure.
4. Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables, especially those with high concentration of antioxidants like mangoes, berries, grapes, apples, watermelon, onion, garlic, pumpkin, eggplant, carrot, spinach, cauliflower, tomatoes, and broccoli.
5. Keep up with your oral hygiene routine, including brushing and flossing.
6. Visit your dentist regularly for checkups.
7. Consult a doctor immediately if you observe any symptoms developing.