Whether you’ve been smoking for years or you just picked up your first cigarette or vape pen a couple of weeks ago, it’s never too early or late to quit. In fact, several medical conditions and diseases have been connected to this habit, ranging from an increased risk of heart disease to oral cancer. Learn more about the connection between oral cancer and smoking, and start taking important steps towards quitting, like visiting your primary care physician, to better your oral and overall well-being.
What is Oral Cancer & How is It Diagnosed?
Oral cancer is the term used when cancerous cells are found in the mouth or face area, including but not limited to the head, neck, tongue, throat, lips, and roof and floor of the mouth. You may not have known, but at each of your routine checkups and cleanings at your dental office, they’ll conduct a quick and thorough oral cancer screening.
These screenings are aimed at finding common signs of the disease as early as possible to increase your chances of successful treatment if you are diagnosed with oral cancer. If they see any concerning issues or are unsure of their visual findings, they will refer you for a biopsy and testing from a specialist to diagnose the issue.
How Can Smoking Increase Your Risk of Oral Cancer?
The use of tobacco is a major risk factor for oral cancer, as well as many other types of cancer. Whether you smoke cigarettes, cigars, pipes, chew tobacco, or even vape, you are 10 times more likely to develop lung and oral cancers compared to someone who isn’t a smoker. This is because you’re exposing the tissues within your mouth to cancer-causing chemicals and agents in tobacco smoke, leading to cell and DNA damage. In fact, a study published in Tobacco Induced Diseases found that exposing your oral tissues to tobacco can also affect the immune system.
In short, if you haven’t yet taken steps to quit smoking, for the betterment of your health and well-being, it’s a good time to start!
What to Do if You Notice Symptoms of Oral Cancer?
Oral cancer can lead to a number of symptoms, all of which your dentist will examine you for at your bi-annual checkups. These include:
- An oral sore that hasn’t healed in two weeks.
- A growth or lump on the inside of the mouth.
- General mouth or ear pain.
- Difficulty swallowing.
- Pain while swallowing.
- Red or white patches on the inside of the mouth.
- Loose permanent teeth.
If you or your dentist spots any of these symptoms, the next step you would need to take is to schedule an appointment with a specialist for a biopsy and further testing.
It’s important to take the steps to ensure you’re able to live your life to the fullest for both you and your loved ones. Be proactive by receiving regular oral cancer screenings from your dentist, and take the first steps towards quitting smoking by consulting with your primary care physician.
About the Author
Dr. Maryam Bemani loves building long-lasting relationships with all of her patients, helping them feel safe, comfortable and well-cared for at every appointment. She places a special focus on providing thorough preventive dental care in an effort to both preserve her patients’ oral and overall health in addition to minimizing or eliminating the need for more extensive procedures. If it has been longer than six months since your last oral cancer screening and you use tobacco products, visit Advance Dental Clinic’s website or call 443-251-5580 to schedule an appointment.