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No matter what age or gender, cancer is a terrible disease that affects everyone. Head and neck cancer is one type of cancer that can be easily missed. Fewer than 3% of all cancers are found in the head and neck, but they can be very dangerous if they are not treated or found too late. Staying proactive can get you help for oral cancer sooner and have better results.

What is Head and Neck Cancer?

It refers to a group of cancers in the head and neck region. It includes the mouth, throat, nose, lungs, salivary glands, and other soft tissues in the head and neck. Over 90% of head and neck cancers are squamous cell carcinoma, which is one of these types of cancer.

Potential Risks

Smoking and drinking are the most significant risk factors for getting head and neck cancer. Furthermore, the human papillomavirus (HPV) can also raise the chance of getting sick.


Displaying Signs

As the cancer spreads, its symptoms can change. Although, the most common signs are a sore or lump that won't go away in the mouth, throat, or neck, trouble eating, changes in your voice or hoarseness, and weight loss that you can't explain.

Prevention

If you want to lower your risk of getting head and neck cancer, there are some things you can do. Quitting smoking and drinking, eating well, and getting an HPV vaccine are all proven ways to avoid getting the disease. Treatments like radiation therapy, surgery, chemotherapy, and tailored therapy can help when the disease is first diagnosed.

Conclusion

Not finding head and neck cancer early enough can be very dangerous and deadly. Cigarette and alcohol use are the main risk factors, and the signs are usually sores or lumps that won't heal in the mouth, throat, or neck. Although, you can lower your chance of getting the disease by doing things like giving up smoking and drinking. Any symptoms should be reported immediately to a doctor, and regular checkups are recommended to ensure that any possible cancers are found and handled quickly. Keep yourself aware and healthy.

Image from iStock

Our teeth are very important to us because they let us bite, chew, and talk correctly. But did you know that there are a lot more interesting things about teeth that most people don't know? We will discuss how important they are to your general health.

500 to 1000 kinds of germs live in your mouth

This may sound disgusting, but not all bacteria are bad. Some germs are good for keeping your mouth healthy. We need to watch out for harmful germs. They eat sugar and make acid, which, if not stopped, can cause cavities and gum disease.

Your teeth enamel is the hardest material in your body

Enamel is the thin top layer of your teeth that protects the sensitive inner layers from damage like cavities and decay. Even though it's the hardest material in the body, it can still break down over time if you don't take care of your teeth properly.

Teeth can show a lot about your general health

Problems with teeth can be signs of other health issues besides tooth decay and gum disease. For example, losing teeth can be an early sign of osteoporosis, and being sensitive to hot or cold foods could be a sign of an underlying lung infection.

Snoring and teeth-grinding

Snoring and teeth grinding, also called bruxism, can damage your teeth and jaw over time. The constant pressure and friction can lead to chipped, cracked, or broken teeth, or even TMJ disorder, a painful condition that affects the jaw joint.

Tooth health depends on more than just brushing.

Even though brushing your teeth twice a day is necessary, it's not enough to keep your teeth and gums healthy. For optimal oral health, you should use mouthwash, and get regular dental checkups. This will also help catch problems early before they get worse.

Summary

Our teeth may seem like a small part of our bodies, but they are very important to our general health. By learning more about our teeth and what they do, we can take better care of them and live a healthier, happy life. So, if you want to keep your teeth in good shape, don't forget to brush, floss, and go to the dentist regularly.

Image from iStock