For years, the word “tambaku” has been casually woven into everyday life, shared between friends, sold openly, and often dismissed as a “harmless habit”. For many young people in Aurangabad, chewing tobacco, gutkha, pan masala, or even vaping feels like a social norm rather than a health risk.
But here’s the uncomfortable truth:
Oral cancer is no longer a disease of old age.
Aurangabad’s youth are increasingly at risk.
At Dr. Girhe's Dental Clinic, dentists are now seeing worrying signs, oral cancer symptoms appearing in people as young as their early 20s. This shift is alarming and cannot be ignored. What was once considered a long-term consequence of decades of tobacco use is now emerging much earlier, driven by lifestyle habits that are normalized and underestimated.
This blog looks beyond “tambaku” to understand why oral health risks are rising, which warning signs young people often ignore, and how early action and timely oral cancer treatment in Aurangabad can truly save lives.
Why Oral Cancer Is Rising Among Young People in Aurangabad?
Oral cancer was once linked mostly to long-term tobacco use over decades. Today, the pattern has changed.
The Biggest Contributors:
- Early exposure to tobacco & gutkha
- High availability and low cost of chewing products
- Smoking + alcohol combination
- Vaping and flavored nicotine products
- Ignoring early mouth symptoms
The younger someone starts, the longer harmful substances stay in contact with the mouth, multiplying cancer risk.
This is why awareness about oral cancer treatment in Aurangabad is becoming more important than ever.
Tambaku Isn’t the Only Culprit Anymore
Yes, chewing tobacco remains the biggest risk factor, but it’s not the only one.
Other Silent Risk Factors:
- Pan masala without tobacco (still harmful)
- Cigarette & bidi smoking
- Alcohol consumption
- Poor oral hygiene
- Chronic mouth irritation from sharp teeth or ill-fitting dentures
Many young people wrongly believe that “smokeless” or “flavored” products are safer. They’re not.
Early Signs of Oral Cancer Young People Ignore
One of the biggest dangers of oral cancer is delay. Early symptoms are painless and easy to ignore.
Warning Signs You Should Never Dismiss:
- A mouth ulcer that doesn’t heal in 2 weeks
- White or red patches inside the mouth
- Burning sensation while eating spicy food
- Difficulty opening the mouth fully
- Thickening or lump in cheek or tongue
- Persistent bad breath
- Unexplained bleeding in the mouth
Most oral cancer cases are detected late, not because symptoms weren’t there, but because they were ignored.
Why Early Detection Can Save Your Life?
When detected early:
- Oral cancer is highly treatable
- Surgery is less extensive
- Facial appearance and speech can often be preserved
- Recovery is faster
- Survival rates are much higher
This is why routine dental check-ups and screenings matter, especially for tobacco users.
Clinics like Dr. Girhe's Dental Clinic play a crucial role in identifying suspicious lesions early and guiding patients toward timely care.
Oral Cancer Diagnosis: What Actually Happens?
Many people fear testing, but diagnosis is usually simple.
Common Diagnostic Steps:
- Detailed oral examination
- Medical and habit history
- Biopsy of suspicious lesion
- Imaging (X-rays, CT, MRI if required)
Early diagnosis opens the door to less aggressive oral cancer treatment.
Mouth Cancer Surgery in Aurangabad: What You Should Know
If cancer is confirmed, surgery is often the primary treatment.
Mouth Cancer Surgery May Involve:
- Removal of affected tissue
- Preservation of healthy structures
- Reconstructive procedures, if needed
- Follow-up therapy (radiation/chemo in some cases)
The goal is not just survival, but quality of life after treatment.
Choosing the right care team, including access to the best oncologist for oral cancer, can make a significant difference in outcomes.
The Emotional & Social Impact on Young Patients
Oral cancer doesn’t just affect health; it impacts:
- Confidence
- Speech
- Eating habits
- Career
- Mental health
Young patients often struggle more emotionally because the diagnosis comes unexpectedly. Early treatment reduces not only physical damage but also long-term psychological stress.
Why Regular Dental Visits Matter More Than You Think?
Many oral cancer cases are first spotted by dentists, not oncologists.
During routine dental check-ups:
- Dentists examine soft tissues
- Early lesions are noticed
- Habit counseling is provided
- Suspicious changes are referred to immediately
This makes dentists the first line of defense in preventing late-stage oral cancer.
Breaking the “Tambaku” Cycle: What Needs to Change
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Who Needs to Act |
What Needs to Change |
Why It Matters |
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Youth & Young Adults |
Quit tobacco, gutkha, pan masala, and vaping |
Early exposure greatly increases the risk of oral cancer at a young age |
|
Stop “social chewing” or casual use |
Even occasional use damages oral tissues over time |
|
|
Get mouth ulcers or patches checked early |
Early detection makes oral cancer highly treatable |
|
|
Go for regular dental check-ups |
Dentists often detect early cancer signs before symptoms worsen |
|
|
Families & Parents |
Avoid normalizing tambaku use at home |
Habits picked up early are harder to break later |
|
Encourage open conversations about oral health |
Awareness reduces denial and delay in treatment |
|
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Support quitting efforts instead of ignoring them |
Emotional support increases success in quitting tobacco |
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Community & Society |
Stop treating chewing tobacco as “harmless” |
Cultural acceptance fuels rising oral cancer cases |
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Promote real stories and medical facts |
Facts create impact, fear alone does not |
|
|
Encourage preventive screenings |
Early screening reduces need for extensive surgery |
Regular dental visits play a key role in breaking this cycle. Clinics like Dr. Girhe's Dental Clinic focus on early oral examinations, habit counseling, and timely referrals, because preventing oral cancer starts long before surgery is needed.
How VELscope Screening at Dr. Girhe's Dental Clinic Helps Prevent Oral Cancer?
Early oral cancer often shows no pain and no visible symptoms, which is why it’s frequently detected late. The VELscope screening machine helps change that.
At Dr. Girhe's Dental Clinic, VELscope technology is used to detect abnormal oral tissue at a very early stage, even before changes become visible to the naked eye. Using a special blue light, the machine highlights unhealthy cells that may indicate pre-cancerous or cancerous changes.
This quick, painless, non-invasive screening:
- Takes just a few minutes
- Does not involve radiation
- Helps identify risk early
- Supports timely oral cancer prevention and treatment
By catching warning signs early, VELscope screening plays a powerful role in preventing advanced oral cancer, especially in tobacco and gutkha users.
Because when it comes to oral cancer, early detection can save lives.
A Message to Aurangabad’s Youth
Tambaku may feel temporary, but oral cancer is permanent.
The rising cases among young people in Aurangabad are not a coincidence, they are a warning. The good news? Oral cancer is preventable and treatable when caught early.
If you or someone you know notices persistent mouth changes, don’t wait. Seek professional advice. Early screening can mean the difference between a simple procedure and complex treatment.
For those looking for guidance, screening, or direction toward oral cancer treatment in Aurangabad, Dr. Girhe's Dental Clinic focuses on early detection, patient education, and timely referral, because saving lives often starts with one careful examination.
Your mouth tells a story.
Make sure you’re listening before it’s too late.