News Flash
Borun Kumar Dash and Abdur Rouf
DHAKA, Nov 27, 2025 (BSS) - Many people consider long-lasting wounds inside the mouth, caused by broken or sharp teeth, as a minor problem and ignore them. But over time, constant scraping or irritation on the tongue or cheek from such sharp edges can silently turn into deadly cancer.
In addition, addiction to tobacco and alcohol, and not consulting a doctor at the right time, are causing both the risk and mortality rate of oral cancer to rise alarmingly in the country.
Dr. Shakhawat Hossain Sayantha, Dean of Faculty of Dentistry and Associate Professor of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery at Bangladesh Medical University (BMU), said these in an interview with BSS.
When asked about the causes and prevention of mouth sores and oral cancer, he said: "People can get mouth ulcers for various reasons. The most common is 'aphthous ulcer.' Although extremely painful, it is not dangerous. It usually occurs due to mental stress, anxiety, insufficient sleep, or hormonal changes."
"It is more common in girls during puberty or periods of hormonal fluctuation. It may also occur due to accidental brushing injuries or biting the tongue or cheek during eating. Vitamin and mineral deficiencies can also cause it. These ulcers typically heal on their own within 5 to 7 days without medication. Using mild pain-relief gel or mouthwash can provide comfort," he said adding however, not all wounds are simple.
Dr Sayantha noted, "Some ulcers appear as symptoms of underlying diseases. For example, tuberculosis patients may have 'tuberculous ulcers,' syphilis patients may develop 'syphilitic ulcers,' and herpes simplex virus can cause fever blisters or sores inside the mouth. Beyond these, some ulcers are known as 'premalignant lesions'-the precancerous stage."
"Without timely treatment and lifestyle changes, these can turn into cancer. Among these, leukoplakia (white patch), erythroplakia (reddish patch), lichen planus (LP), and oral submucous fibrosis (OSMF) are notable," he added.
About OSMF, he said, "The main cause of OSMF is betel nut (supari). Many people in our country chew betel leaf with tobacco and supari, or chew supari alone. Those who keep supari in their mouth for long periods gradually develop fibrosis - stiff bands under the thin mucosal layer."
"This reduces mouth opening over time and significantly increases the risk of cancer. Lichen planus, an autoimmune disease, poses greater risk for diabetic patients because uncontrolled diabetes makes the lesions harder to treat," he warned.
On the causes of oral cancer, Dr Sayantha explained, "The prime cause of oral cancer-specifically squamous cell carcinoma-is smokeless tobacco: gul, jorda, sada pata, and khaini. Many people consume jorda or sada pata with betel leaf, and many use gul; these are extremely high-risk habits. Smoking and alcohol consumption add even greater risk."
"Tobacco harms nearly every organ of the body. If someone is addicted to smoking, alcohol, and jorda simultaneously, the danger becomes severe. Human papillomavirus (HPV), which causes cervical cancer in women, can also cause oral cancer," he explained.
Noting that poor dental care can also trigger cancer, he said, "Many people don't maintain oral hygiene properly. Broken or sharp teeth constantly rub against the tongue or cheek, causing repeated injuries. Some people bite the same spot repeatedly, forming a hard patch or small wound.”
“If such a wound persists and is untreated, it may turn cancerous due to chronic irritation. Loose dental fillings can also cause similar injuries. Malnutrition, especially lack of antioxidant-rich fruits and green vegetables, increases the risk," he cautioned.
When asked how to identify whether a mouth sore is normal or cancerous, Dr Sayantha said, "Not all sores indicate cancer. Many ulcers from tuberculosis, syphilis, viral or bacterial infections can be easily diagnosed through tests. Aphthous ulcers heal naturally within a week. But if any ulcer lasts more than 10 days and does not improve with general treatment, it must be taken seriously."
"One should immediately consult a registered dental surgeon (with at least a BDS degree), an oral & maxillofacial surgeon, or an ENT head-neck surgeon. They will conduct biopsy and other tests if needed. People often panic hearing the word 'cancer.' But if detected early, oral cancer is fully curable," he noted.
Highlighting the dangers of late treatment, he said, "If detected early, minor surgery is enough to cure the patient. But delayed cases require surgery along with radiotherapy and chemotherapy. In advanced stages, cancer spreads to the throat and other parts of the body. Surgery is no longer beneficial then."
"For large tumors, tissue and bone from the chest, arms, or legs must be transplanted to reconstruct the face. This increases cost, hospital stay, and patient suffering. Sometimes, despite all efforts, saving the patient becomes impossible," he added.
Regarding gaps in Bangladesh's healthcare system, he said, "There is a lack of proper referral system. Patients first go to general physicians who may prescribe ointments or vitamins, wasting valuable time. If the case is beyond their scope, they should promptly refer the patient to an oral & maxillofacial surgeon or head-neck specialist. Many patients, out of fear or ignorance, turn to Ayurvedic, homeopathic, or traditional healers. These treatments cannot cure cancer; instead, the delay worsens the condition."
Dr Sayantha said according to Bangladeshi law, no one without Bangladesh Medical and Dental Council (BM&DC) registration and a Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS) degree can practice dentistry.
"But due to weak enforcement, many quack dentists are treating patients illegally. They often use the name of a registered doctor on their signboards. Thinking dental care is expensive, people go to these quacks for cheaper treatment and end up with severe consequences - from damaged teeth to life-threatening cancer," he said.
Finally, giving advice for public awareness, he said, "Many people wrongly believe dental treatment is always expensive. But those with financial limitations can receive low-cost or free services at BMU's Dentistry Faculty, government hospitals like Dhaka Dental College Hospital, Dhaka Medical College Hospital's dentistry department, or any district health complex."
"Every upazila hospital now has a dental surgeon. So people should not risk their lives by going to quacks to save some Taka. Always ensure that the person providing dental treatment truly has a BDS degree - otherwise, they are not a doctor," he suggested.
