Oral cancer, commonly known as mouth cancer, can occur on the gums, lips, tongue, the roof of the mouth, cheeks (inner lining), gums, and hard and soft palate. It usually appears as a sore in the mouth that does not go away. If not treated or diagnosed early, oral cancer can be life-threatening.
Symptoms Of Oral Cancer
Some of the most common signs and symptoms of oral cancer are:
- Mouth or lip sores that are not healing.
- White or reddish patches are found inside the mouth
- Loose teeth
- Difficulty in swallowing food
- Mouth or jaw pain
- Ear and neck pain
- A growth or lump inside your mouth
- Persistent weight loss
Causes of Oral Cancer
According to the American Cancer Society, the most prominent cause of oral cancer is heavy alcohol intake and tobacco use – cigarettes, pipes, cigars, chewing tobacco, etc.
- Bad dental hygiene practice
- A sexually transmitted virus called human papillomavirus (HPV)
- A weakened immune system
- Poor nutrition
- Inherited defects in the genes
- Graft-versus-host disease
- Usage of smokeless tobacco such as betel quid, areca nut, and gutka
Home Remedies for Oral Cancer
There are treatments that are designed to stop the spread of oral cancer. These include chemotherapy, surgery, and radiotherapy. However, these therapies damage or destroy many of the body’s cell. In order to lower the risk of oral cancer, it is necessary to have an early diagnosis and treatment of possibly malignant disorders. For this, natural methods may be a good substitute.
Here are some of the best home remedies for oral cancer:
Eating Leafy Vegetables
According to the American Institute of Cancer Research, cancer patients should increase their consumption of leafy green veggies and cruciferous vegetables like cabbage, kale, broccoli, cauliflower, and Brussels sprouts. These vegetables have potent anticancer properties that can reduce the size of tumors and prevent them from spreading and recurring.
Moringa Oleifera (Malunggay)
The leaves of this plant can effectively treat oral cancer. For this remedy, you need to add a teaspoon of dried and powdered leaves to a cup of boiling water. Drink it regularly over the treatment period.
Turmeric
Curcumin, an active component of turmeric, has anti-carcinogenic and anti-tumor properties that can help prevent cell growth and induce apoptosis (cell death) in oral cancer cells.
Tomatoes
Tomatoes are rich in lycopene, a phytochemical that gives it the red color. Lycopene is one of the most potent antioxidant and according to studies; it can help inhibit the proliferation of human oral cancer tumor. Also, its vitamin C content can help prevent skin cell damage which can also lead to oral cancer.
Avocados
Due to its richness in vitamin C and E, avocados can help eliminate pre-cancerous cells in the mouth. Cancer cells, it left untreated, can quickly multiply and spread on other areas of the mouth.
Green Tea
Green tea is rich in antioxidant and anticarcinogenic properties that flush out free radical and harmful organisms in the body resulting to the prevention of tumor initiation and promotion, as well as induction of apoptosis and cell replication.
It is recommended to drink 2 cups of green tea daily to reduce symptoms of oral cancer and prevent recurrences.
Raspberries
Effectively treat oral cancer by drinking a cup of fresh raspberry every day over the duration of the treatment.
Tips To Avoid Oral Cancer
Follow these simple tips to protect yourself and your family from oral cancer.
- Limit your alcohol intake.
- As much as possible, avoid using tobacco.
- Eat a wholesome diet.
- Avoid HIV infection by practicing safe sex.
- Follow good oral hygiene.
- Make sure to get your dental problems treated.
- See your dentist regularly.
