Examine yourself for oral cancers.
If you use tobacco products,
If you drink large amounts of alcohol
If you are constantly exposed to sunlight,
If you have habits such as cheek chewing or lip biting,
If you have removable dentures that do not fit well,
It is very important that you learn to examine yourself. Because you are in the risk group of intraoral cancers. By examining yourself regularly, you can catch the early signs of oral cancers and ensure that the disease is diagnosed at an early stage before it progresses.
Pay attention to:
Wounds on the face, neck and mouth that do not heal within two weeks,
Lumps on the lips, gums or other parts of the mouth,
Regional color differences in the white, red or dark mouth,
Recurrent bleeding in the mouth,
Numbness or decreased sensation, or pain in the mouth or neck area.
You can do this inspection as follows:
1- Head and neck:
Look at your face and neck in the mirror. The right and left sides of the face have the same shape. Check for unsymmetrical swelling or deformity on one side of the face or neck.
2- Face:
Examine the skin of your face. Is there any burning, tissue growth, or changes in color and size?
3- Neck:
Press your finger on the sides and front of your neck. Is there an area where you feel pain or have lumps?
4- Lips:
Examine your lower and upper lips with your thumb and forefinger, see if there is any change in texture and whether there are lumps or lumps inside. Open your lower lip and check if there is any burning or discoloration inside.
5- Cheeks:
Open your cheeks with your fingers and look inside to look for red, white, or dark patches. Examine your cheeks with the help of your fingers internally and externally.
6- Palate:
Tilt your head back and open your mouth wide to check your palate. Look for a change in color or swelling. Check for a painful or swollen area by running your fingers over your palate.
7- Floor of mouth and tongue:
Control your language from every angle. Check for swelling or discoloration, a change in the underlying tissue.
Any change in your mouth that does not go away in 2 weeks and you think is not normal can be dangerous. Consult your dentist or doctor.
