Dental Aspects of Oral Cancer - Research Paper Example

? Dental Aspects of Oral Cancer Task Dental Aspects of Oral Cancer Introduction The contemporary society suffers from diverse categories of cancerous growths, which are extremely dangerous. One of these categories includes oral cancer, which is among the top killers in the modern world. This research paper highlights fundamental concerns pertaining to dental processes and oral cancer. The phenomenon of oral cancer is quite extensive as it destroys the entire oral setup of an individual. These include the mouth, tongue, cheek and teeth. In particular, the paper reports such aspects as causes, prevention and medication of oral cancer, which attacks the dental structure of individuals. Dental Aspects of Oral Cancer According to Batsakis, Johnson and Shah, (2003), the cancers, which affect the dental structure of human beings mostly, manifest themselves through dislocations of teeth in the month. For example, an individual who had a perfect dental fixture displays a crooked dental arrangement after the cancer attack. Furthermore, dental cancer affects the root of the patient’s teeth causing pain. Consequently, dental cancer displays high chances of spreading because of the presence of suitable bacteria in the human mouth (Batsakis, Johnson, & Shah, 2003). According to Dofka (2003), the vulnerability of oral cancer is high for both male and feminine adults. However, this cancer affects more adult men than women. In particular, men who are over 50 years are more susceptible to oral cancer that affects their dental features. This is because of the reduction in an aged person’s metabolic activities. In addition, research indicates that the high dental cancer cases in men are based on hereditary reasons (Dofka, 2003). Causes of Dental Cancer Aspects that increase the vulnerability of this oral cancer include family history, smocking and unprotected exposure to the sun. Moreover, people who engage in excessive consumption of tobacco and alcohol have higher chances of experiencing oral cancer. It is not only the smocking of tobacco that causes dental cancer but also chewing of certain nuts for example betel. Dangerous UV lights cause different cancers to an individual. However, the dangerous rays increase oral cancer because of the vulnerability of the human lips. In addition, the cancer infection of the lip quickly spreads to the teeth highlighting the dangers arising from the sun’s ray (Batsakis, Johnson, & Shah, 2003). Consequently, people increase their vulnerability when they have irritable dental fillings. Such fillings increase cancer growths because they are foreign materials. These strange components (gutta-percha) in the mouth in an individual’s oral structure could likely cause dental cancer. In addition, such fillings increase the negative impact of dental cancer since they make the patient experience extreme irritability. Consequently, the irritability also facilitates the spread of dental cancer in the patients who have root canals (DeLong & Burkhart 2008). Moreover, the dental method of teeth filling inhibits the provision of blood to the essential constituents of the teeth. The gutta-percha used in the root canal also displays resistance to existing anti-bacteria since they are composed of infectious metals. Evidently, the merge of the live teeth and the dead metals produces chemicals that reduce the reaction of anti-bacterial. Therefore, the operation not only prevents adequate supply of blood to the teeth but also prevent the effect of dental medication (Dofka, 2003). Apart from these negative impacts of root canals, they also discourage people from alternative dental processes, which could be safer. For example, people who have cavities do not wish to extract their teeth to prevent spread of the cavities. Instead, they choose to have the easy canals, which make them vulnerable to dental cancer (Batsakis, Johnson, & Shah, 2003). Other causes of oral cancer include an individual’s actions of frequently taking inappropriate medication. In addition, people who fail to comprehend how to care for their dental hygiene risk acquiring oral cancer. According to Batsakis, Johnson, & Shah (2003), modern products for dental hygiene may lead to cancer. For example, products, which promise people extra-ordinary results especially shiny and white teeth, are questionable. This is because some chemicals, which are used in the manufacture the products, have cancer-causing components. In addition, other concerns with an individual’s teeth could result in advanced cases of dental cancer. If people do not treat normal diseases of the teeth, for example, gingivitis they also increase their chances of suffering from dental cancer. Consequently, modern facilities enable people to undergo self-examination sessions of their teeth. The arrangement that allows patients to examine their teeth by themselves is convenient. This is because they can have the examination as frequently as they wish without inconveniencing their dentists. In particular, it reduces the development of cancer because a patient can undergo self-diagnosis at home then seeks further attention from relevant professionals (DeLong & Burkhart 2008). Possible Treatment of Dental Cancer Extreme cases of oral cancer, which affects the oral organs, are unlikely to be cured. However, immediate diagnosis is important because it increases the chances of individual’s surviving the cancer. For example, doctors could use tailored tests as tongue and gum biopsies. In addition, the doctors could also conduct respective x-rays and scans to test the growth of oral cancer. According to Batsakis, Johnson, & Shah (2003), there must be extraction of previous root canals to prevent the further spread of dental cancer in an individual. These canals increase the spread of dental cancer because they continue to re-infect other neighboring teeth (Batsakis, Johnson, & Shah, 2003). Prevention of Dental Cancer Most recent research on oral cancer suggests that people need to increase their visits to dentists to address the dental aspect of oral cancer. A dentist’s examination of one’s dental structure will determine any cancerous growth in good time. Additionally, the dentist advices persons on the most appropriate way of cleaning their mouth to prevent such cancer. Moreover, there has to be special cleaning of the teeth during the respective treatment since the process increases germs in the mouth. This is because once an individual contacts dental cancer; they increase the rates at which their teeth can damage. For example, their teeth could experience further breakages or extreme discoloring hence affecting their self-esteem (DeLong & Burkhart, 2008). Most Vulnerable Groups According to Dofka (2003), dental cancer affects Africans Americans more than whites because of the diversity in the genetic composition of the later group. In addition, dental cancer accounts for 25% of deaths adult Americans. Further, statistics indicate that people whose dental structures have cancerous infections die in less than 5 years after diagnosis. Treatment aspect of dental cancer involves the patients’ frequency in taking water in order to lessen the spread of the cancer. Moreover, patients need to avoid excessive sugary intake while taking substitute medication. Extreme forms of treatment entail regular sessions of chemotherapy for the oral cancer patients. Further Treatment However, there is an increase in the effectiveness of the therapy if there is a combination of other treatments against the cancer. Oncologists are professionals who help patients with such dental cancers during their respective dental surgeries. Therefore, there are suggestions that oncologists need to evaluate the suitability of the treatments, which they suggest for their patients depending on several factors. For example, there is need to determine whether the patient has a history with cancer among other factors. This is because a patient could be resistant to certain types of medication. In addition, they need to encourage patients to compete the medication process in order to avoid future recurrence of the dental cancer. There should also be constant encouragement of people who experience the impact of dental cancer since it is a dangerous disease. Finally, there must be further research on suitable preventive measures of dental cancer (Dofka, 2003). Consequently, the dental professional can encourage people to stop unhealthy habits, for example, smocking and alcohol. This is because people who have these habits have the most vulnerability of suffering from dental cancer. In particular, these professional can establish frequent campaigns against the major causes of oral cancer. Moreover, they can include dental cancer survivors in such campaigns in order to increase the effectiveness of their respective campaigns. Dental professionals could also advise the patients to create groups that would facilitate their quick healing. Conclusion Suitable insurance policies should be created to cover people who suffer from oral cancer. Additionally, medical professionals need to increase their operations to places, such as prisons and other rehabilitation institutions. This will ensure that everyone understands the importance of taking care of his/her dental hygiene. There should also be numerous policies, which protect people from all cancers because most present deaths are cancer related. Finally, the government should subsidize most treatments related to dental cancer to enable its citizenry have appropriate and immediate medication. References Batsakis, J. G., Johnson, N. W., & Shah, J. P. (2003). Oral cancer. London: Dunitz. DeLong, L., & Burkhart, N. W. (2008). General and oral pathology for the dental hygienist. Baltimore, MD: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. Dofka, C. M. (2003). Dental terminology. Clifton Park, NY: Delmar, Cengage Learning. Read More