You may have seen our recent post about how oral cancer rates are on the rise. Many people don’t realize that you may be at risk for oral cancer, even if you’ve never smoked in your entire life.

There are many factors that can lead to oral cancer, but they all have one thing in common: the earlier we can identify oral cancer and start treatment, the better your outcome will be.

To help protect our community in Orlando, FL from the harmful effects of oral cancer, we want to help you understand how to identify suspicious lesions, what you can do to reduce your risks, and what we’re doing to keep our patients as healthy as possible!

What You Should Know About Oral Cancer

Cancers of the mouth and throat have higher death rates than other cancers you may hear about more often, like breast cancer or testicular cancer.

This has a lot to do with the fact that oral cancers usually don’t cause a lot of pain or symptoms early on, so they’re frequently not identified until they’ve progressed and spread. Cancers that start in the mouth and throat are surrounded by lymph nodes and other tissues that make it very easy for it to spread.

They’re also very likely to produce multiple primary tumors, meaning that oral cancer survivors are at very high risk for developing cancer again, even ten years later.

So it’s vital that we control our risks for developing oral cancer wherever we can.

Risk Factors for Oral Cancer

• Smoking: Both cigars and cigarettes increase your risk. Marijuana use can also increase your risks.
• Chewing tobacco: Areas where you hold tobacco in your cheek are very likely to develop cell abnormalities, precancer, or cancer.
• Vaping and e-cigarettes: Studies show that vaping damages DNA and causes stress that may increase cancer risks, although more research is needed.
• Sun exposure: Sun damage can develop into cancerous lesions on the lips.
• HPV: This is the fastest-growing cause of oral cancer; it’s estimated that around 75% of adults in the US have had HPV at some point.
• Immunodeficiency: Systemic health problems that impact the immune system such as HIV increase your risks for specific types of oral cancer. Immunosuppressive medications, such as you might take after an organ transplant, can also increase your risk.
• Alcohol: Regular drinking has a direct association with oral cancer risks. However, mouthwash has not been shown to increase oral cancer risks.

How to Do an Oral Cancer Screening at Home

Early detection is key for minimizing the damage oral cancer can cause. A regular monthly at-home oral cancer screening is a great way to stay familiar with how your tissues should look and feel so that you notice any changes as early as possible.

Here’s a step-by-step oral cancer screening guide:

1. Pinch your lips, cheeks, tongue, and the floor of your mouth. Feel for any hard lumps or bumps. Put one hand under your chin and the fingers of the other hand in the floor of your mouth to pinch that area between your two hands. You will be able to feel salivary duct tissue there as well as any abnormalities.At first, it will seem confusing because scar tissue from bites, and even just the texture of these tissues seems irregular. But once you are familiar with your normal tissue, you will be alert to changes.
2. Flip your lips. Look at the skin inside your lips. Make sure you move your fingers so you don’t miss anything you may be covering!
3. Pull out your cheeks. Pull your cheeks way out to the side and get a good look at the skin, paying attention to the vestibules, which are areas where the lips and cheeks meet the gums.
4. Look at your tongue and especially under your tongue. Stick your tongue out at yourself, grab the tip and pull it way out to one side and then the other. Pay attention to the underside of your tongue, the floor of the mouth, and the sides of the tongue. (Little lumps on the back of your tongue are taste buds and totally normal.)
5. Say “AH!” Stick your tongue out, open wide, and shout at yourself in the mirror. Really sing! (Don’t whine through your nose.) You want your throat to open up in the back so you can see the wall of tissue at the back of your throat, as well as your uvula, soft palate, and maybe even your tonsils.

What Does Oral Cancer Look Like?

Oral cancer lesions can have many different appearances. But here are a few times when you may want to call your dentist.

• Sores on the lip or in the mouth that don’t heal after 2 weeks.
• White or reddish patches inside the mouth.
• Thickened, white skin with a craggy surface, especially where you use chewing tobacco.
• Ulcers along the gum line that don’t heal, especially if they seem to be getting bigger.
• Lumps or swollen tissue, especially in the floor of the mouth, that appear to be growing.
• Difficult or painful swallowing.
• Persistent ear pain without any signs of ear problems.
• Grey or white cauliflower-like bumps or spiky growths.

If you see a white line that runs along the inside of your cheek, that’s usually nothing to worry about. It’s called linea alba and has to do with your bite. Fluid-filled sacs in the lips or floor of the mouth are likely just clogged salivary ducts. Likewise, ulcers that heal in a couple of weeks aren’t a reason to panic.

Of course, if you’re ever worried, we’re here for you!

How Your Dental Team at Lake Baldwin Dental Protects You Against Oral Cancer

We include regular oral cancer screenings in Orlando, FL as part of your routine dental visits. As Drs. Dunn and Nestle examine your teeth, they’ll also take a close and careful look at all the soft tissues to watch for abnormal lesions.

Our expert hygienists also include oral cancer screenings at every cleaning because the more eyes we have on things, the better!

We also use an oral cancer detection light to look for changes below the surface of the skin. Healthy cells glow under the light, while the irregular shape of abnormal cells prevents this reaction, making them appear dark.

If we see anything suspicious, we’ll take photos and send them for analysis. We may also recommend a consultation with a nearby specialist to ensure any potential problems don’t slide by under the radar.

That way, you can enjoy peace of mind and keep smiling, Orlando!