By Dr. Sanjog Singh, Head & Neck Cancer Surgeon – Samsara Cancer Care, Nagpur
In India, particularly in states such as Maharashtra, mouth and oral cavity cancers remain a serious concern. According to national data, oral cancer is the most common cancer among men in India (about 11.28% of all cancers) and the third most common overall. NDTV Profit+4cancerindia.org.in+4idrf.org.in+4 Studies show that around 80% of oral cancers are attributable to tobacco and smokeless products. cancerindia.org.in+1
If you undergo surgery for oral or mouth cancer, recovery is not only about removing the disease — it is about regaining function: eating, swallowing, speaking and socialising. Structured rehabilitation exercises are therefore vital. This blog guides you through evidence-based exercises, tailored to Indian patients recovering after mouth cancer surgery, and gives realistic tips for daily practice.
Why Rehabilitation Exercises Are Crucial
Surgery in the mouth or jaw region often involves removal or restructuring of tissue. That leads to reduced mobility of tongue, lips, jaw joint (TMJ), cheeks and throat. Without early targeted exercises:
- The tongue may become stiff, reducing articulation and chewing efficiency
- The swallowing mechanism may be weak, leading to choking, aspiration or prolonged meal times
- The facial muscles may weaken, affecting speech clarity, lip seal and saliva control
Given that many Indian patients consume foods like chapati, dry rotis, coarse pulses and hot masala meals, a smooth restoration of muscular function is important to return to normal diet and social interaction.
Key Rehabilitation Exercises (Indian-context friendly)
The following exercises should be started once your surgeon gives the go-ahead (typically 1-2 weeks post-surgery, or as clinically appropriate). Always consult your rehabilitation therapist at Samsara Cancer Care for personalised progression.
- Tongue mobility and strength
- Stick out the tongue straight, then move it slowly to the right as far as possible, hold 5 seconds; then to the left, hold 5 seconds. Repeat 10 times.
- Push the tongue firmly against the roof of your mouth, hold 5 seconds, relax. Repeat 10 times.
This helps regain control important for speech in Hindi/Marathi and for pushing food during swallowing.
- Lip and cheek exercises
- Puff the cheeks full of air for 10 seconds then release; repeat 5 times.
- Smile widely (without teeth if required), hold 5 seconds, relax; repeat 10 times.
These build the buccal muscles so you can keep liquids or mashed food stable in the mouth.
- Jaw joint (TMJ) stretching
- Sit upright, place the tip of your tongue behind your front upper teeth, slowly open the mouth as wide as is comfortable, hold for 3–5 seconds, then slowly close. Repeat 8–10 times.
- Then with mouth slightly open, move lower jaw forward so bottom teeth are ahead of top (if permitted), hold 3 seconds, relax; repeat 8 times.
Essential for Indian diets (rotis, rice) where you need to open wide enough and chew efficiently.
- Swallowing manoeuvres
- Dry swallow: swallow with your head upright, then repeat with head turned slightly towards the operated side, as advised by therapist.
- Wet swallow: take a small sip of water or buttermilk, hold it in mouth for 2 seconds, then swallow. Repeat 5 times.
These train safe swallowing and reduce choking risk.
- Speech drills
- Read aloud a short Marathi or Hindi newspaper paragraph, slowly at first, articulating each word clearly. Do this for 5 minutes daily.
- Practice tongue-twister phrases in your language: e.g., “चाच ताती तितली तान्या तरी” (or other region-appropriate phrase) for 2 minutes.
Speech clarity is linked to tongue and lip exercise and helps rebuild normal social interaction in Indian household contexts.
Practical Indian-Rehab Tips
- Do exercises twice daily, early morning and before bed for consistency.
- Use soft Indian dietary items (dal-khichdi, mashed vegetables) during early phase of exercises to match the reduced function.
- Avoid chewing tough foods (dry roti, crisp snacks) until your therapist clears you.
- Practice in front of a mirror to monitor symmetry and movement.
- Family support: ask a family member to listen as you read aloud, encourage you, and keep you motivated. Social support is especially important for Indian households.
- Set small targets: e.g., “by week 4 I will be able to read aloud one full page without fatigue” or “I will eat normal soft roti at lunch by week 6”.
The Surgeon’s Message
Recovery after mouth cancer surgery is a journey. At Samsara Cancer Care, Nagpur, under my supervision, we integrate surgical care with rehabilitation – speech, swallowing, physiotherapy and diet. Early exercise leads to better outcomes: improved chewing, swallowing and speaking, which in turn improves nutrition, quality of life and personal dignity.
If you or your loved one are in the post-surgical phase of mouth/oral cancer and want a structured rehabilitation programme catered to Indian food habits, speech/language and cultural context, consult with me — Dr. Sanjog Singh, Head & Neck Cancer Surgeon at Samsara Cancer Care, Nagpur. Together we can restore function, not just treat disease.
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