Understanding Non-Healing Tongue Ulcers in Tobacco Users and the Urgent Need for Oral Cancer Screening

Introduction

Non-healing tongue ulcers are often neglected and regarded as trivial issues, to get medical checkups or treatment. The tongue is one of the vital sense organs that humans have. It plays an indispensable role in activities like eating, experiencing taste, or clear pronunciation. Although mostly overlooked as a mere health issue, there are cases in medical history that prove, non-healing tongue ulcers serve as an early symptom of a serious health problem which is oral cancer.

With early consultation with an oral surgeon, it can be detected and treated at an early stage. Frequent occurrences of non-healing ulcers or any other abnormalities and discomfort within the oral area must be checked out. Early treatment helps in the prevention of oral cancer. Early consultation with an oral surgeon leads to early diagnosis and treatment of oral cancer.

Understanding Non-Healing Ulcers on the Tongue

From an external point of view, non-healing ulcers on the tongue look and feel just like minor ulcers or wounds in an early stage. While varying in shape and size, non-healing ulcers do not heal or fade away with time and they stay the same and cause a sensation of pain and discomfort all the time. These non-healing ulcers are often mistaken by common people as minor infections or inflammation at an early stage and are expected to disappear within some time.

Now, without any medical consultation and help, these ulcers keep on growing, complicating and putting serious hazards to one’s oral health. This is often accompanied by pain and discomfort which creates a lot of problems in accomplishing basic tasks of speaking and having a meal properly.  A common mistake is often made in recognizing these kinds of ulcers, as they look the same as the minor ones, which heal and fade away with time with the help of some minor treatment.

The Link Between Tobacco Use and Oral Ulcers

Tobacco is bad for the overall oral health. Tobacco consumption has always been a reason behind oral health problems. People who consume tobacco daily are more prone to develop oral ulcers and gum problems. They also suffer from conditions like a dry mouth with lower saliva production capability. This results in the formation of a suitable environment for the development of oral infections. It also does not allow any oral wound to heal quickly.

Tobacco is filled with highly carcinogenic compounds in nature. Continuous consumption of tobacco does a lot of damage to the cells in the mouth which leads to mutation and provides scope for the occurrence of cancer.

Potential Complications: The Cancer Connection

When ulcers stay persistent for an abnormally long period, there is a chance for cancerous growth. Non-healing ulcers always tend to cause a sense of irritation and inflammation which leads to mutation among the cells in the mouth, especially among those that are present in and around the ulcers. These unnecessary mutations break the normal process and routine of the growth of cells inside the mouth. It triggers an abnormal growth in those cells that results in the formation of a tumor. Now, this tumor can turn into a hazardous form of oral cancer, if left untreated.

There is ample statistical evidence, that proves continuous consumption of tobacco has resulted in the development of oral health issues. According to the American Cancer Society, about 85% of oral cancers are related to the use of tobacco, which includes smoking cigarettes, cigars, or pipes, as well as regular intake and use of products like chewing tobacco or snuff. Regular smokers have a higher chance, as much as, six times more than nonsmokers, to develop or get diagnosed with oral cancer. Chewing tobacco also has its list of harmful effects in the degradation and decay of gums, teeth, and inner surface areas of cheeks and lips, often leading to oral cancer.

Diagnosis and Importance of Early Detection

There are a lot of tools and techniques for complete and immaculate examination of the entire mouth and the abnormalities present in it. Medical professionals use various processes to find abnormalities and ulcers inside the mouth with the help of mirrors and lights first. Then various advanced methods of testing are utilized to make an accurate analysis of the prevalent condition of a patient. Diagnosing techniques, such as biopsy and imaging and scanning techniques are often used. 

Treatment Options

The most common form of treatment provided at the time of treating non-healing ulcers includes the prescribed use of topical medications of specific doses and antimicrobial mouthwashes to prevent any further damage, infection, or inflammation. Sometimes, specific medications are also prescribed for the removal of the root cause of any ulcer. 

Clinihope provides advanced treatment options while providing medical care for non-healing ulcers in the tongue and mouth. The use of advanced technologies and therapy like lasers, helps patients to get the best care and recovery quickly.

Clinihope’s Approach to Managing Non-healing Ulcers

Clinihope has a very high reputation for managing and providing treatment for non-healing ulcers. Here, highly skilled and experienced medical professionals provide the best treatment with the help of the latest technologies.

The quality of care provided by Clinihope has always proved to be beneficial for people who seek medical treatment. The empathy and support of Clinihope’s medical professionals and management staff toward patients are quite encouraging, which offers mental strength to fight against oral cancer.

Conclusion 

People must consider non-healing ulcers seriously and seek the necessary medical help in time. Early treatment always results in successful and quick recovery. If you are experiencing any discomfort or problems like ulcers in your mouth, please make an appointment with an oral surgeon, as early as possible to get an expert opinion on the matter.