Khaberni - In a rare medical case, a 21-year-old man developed oral cancer despite not smoking or using tobacco, due to repeated injuries to his tongue caused by sharp teeth, according to oncologists in India.
Dr. Akshay Kewlani, an oncology consultant, explained that the young man consulted the outpatient clinic suffering from oral cavity cancer, pointing out that the main cause in his case was repeated tongue biting and its friction against sharp edges of the teeth, which caused chronic injuries and ongoing inflammation that over time turned into cancerous cells.
Kewlani added in press statements that many young people believe that oral cancer is only linked to smoking or chewing tobacco, but reality confirms the existence of cases not linked to these habits, noting that repeated tongue injuries due to sharp teeth have become a common cause among the youth.
Every year on February 4, the world celebrates "World Cancer Day" with the aim of raising awareness about the seriousness of the disease, promoting the culture of early detection and prevention, and supporting international efforts to reduce its spread, under the supervision of the International Union Against Cancer (UICC), with participation from governments, health institutions, and communities around the world.
Kewlani further noted that neglecting regular dental check-ups contributes to the problem worsening, explaining that smoothing the sharp edges of the teeth is a simple procedure that could have prevented the recurrence of the injury and its evolution into a serious disease.
Dr. Hitesh Singhavi, a consultant head and neck oncology surgeon, stated that about 85% of oral cancer cases are linked to smoking and alcohol, while about 15% of cases occur in people who do not engage in these habits, due to other factors including chronic injuries in the mouth.
Singhavi pointed out that the patient had been suffering from repeated injuries to the tongue for about six months due to sharp teeth, which caused continuous irritation in the mucous membranes.
Although this type of irritation is not officially classified as a direct carcinogenic factor, it is considered a potential contributory factor in the absence of traditional causes.
He explained that chronic inflammation resulting from continuous irritation leads to repeated tissue damage, and over time may disrupt the normal behavior of cells, preparing the right environment for cancerous transformations.
Oral health experts warn that smoking is not the only cause behind oral cancer, as simple daily habits, such as neglecting teeth cleaning, excessive drinking of alcohol, or even forgetting to use a lip balm with sunscreen, can increase the risk of this serious disease.
Doctors warned against ignoring early signs, which include a mouth ulcer lasting more than three weeks, repeated biting in the same spot, unexplained lumps, bleeding without a clear reason, loosening of teeth, difficulty moving the tongue, or sudden changes in speech.
Singhavi emphasized that these symptoms are often seen as minor dental issues, leading to delayed diagnosis and treatment.
The doctors stressed the importance of regular check-ups with a dentist, explaining that early detection of sharp teeth and their treatment could have prevented the continued injury for several months or years, and reduced the risk of disease progression.
In concluding their talks, the experts affirmed that early diagnosis makes a significant difference in survival chances and quality of life, contributes to reducing treatment costs and intensity, and called for increasing awareness of oral and dental health, and not neglecting any unusual symptoms.
