A man diagnosed with esophageal cancer admits to a mistake many Vietnamese people are making.

Despite having a healthy lifestyle, not smoking or drinking alcohol, and exercising almost daily, Mr. Chu was unexpectedly diagnosed with esophageal cancer at the age of 50.

According to him, recently he has been feeling discomfort in his throat, like something is stuck there. This is followed by a dry cough, hoarseness, and persistent yellow phlegm.

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After repeatedly self-medicating, Mr. Chu's symptoms worsened, including sore throat, difficulty swallowing, fever, pain behind the sternum, chest tightness, and occasional shortness of breath. It was only then that he finally sought medical attention.

At the hospital, doctors discovered a tumor in Mr. Chu's esophagus and performed a biopsy. After receiving the results, the doctors officially diagnosed him with stage 3 squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus.

Cancer detected due to incorrect brushing technique.

The doctor said there are many possible causes, but in this case, it could be due to the patient making mistakes in brushing his teeth over a long period. Specifically, Mr. Chu had crooked teeth but was lazy about brushing them since he was young. He usually only brushed once a day in the morning, hated brushing before bed, but often ate sweets or greasy foods in the evening.

Poor oral hygiene is a major underlying factor leading to esophageal squamous cell carcinoma. According to the patient's medical history, they had previously suffered from various oral diseases such as periodontitis, cavities, and tooth loss. Meanwhile, studies have shown that tooth loss, infrequent brushing, and poor periodontal health are also potential risk factors for esophageal squamous cell carcinoma. Severe tooth loss increases the risk of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma by 1.5 times.

"The patient suffered from severe and recurring periodontal disease. This disease contains the bacteria Porphyromonas gingivalis, which is a precursor to esophageal cancer. Furthermore, the patient often brushes their teeth very vigorously and for a long time in the morning, but rarely cleans their tongue – an area that harbors a lot of bacteria, even dirtier than their teeth," Dr. Vuong explained.

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5 tips for brushing your teeth correctly to prevent disease.

Everyone should brush their teeth at least twice a day with fluoride toothpaste. For children, use toothpaste appropriate for their age.

- The recommended times for brushing your teeth are in the morning after waking up and in the evening before going to bed. You shouldn't brush immediately after eating; wait about 30 minutes. This is because the acids in food can soften tooth enamel. Brushing immediately after eating can easily erode the enamel.

- Remember to brush gently in a spiral motion, not horizontally. Avoid using too much force as this can cause gingivitis, bleeding gums, etc.

- It's important to choose toothbrushes that are the right size for your mouth and have soft bristles. Toothbrushes should be replaced every 3 months or whenever you notice the bristles becoming frayed.

- In addition, you can use dental floss or a water flosser to clean deep between your teeth.

Source: https://giadinh.suckhoedoisong.vn/nguoi-dan-ong-phat-hien-ung-thu-thuc-quan-thua-nhan-1-sai-lam-ma-nhieu-nguoi-viet-dang-mac-phai-172240614224604442.htm