September 29th, 2023

Your oral health is more crucial than you realize; it is the window to your overall health. Bacteria from your gums and teeth can quickly enter your bloodstream and cause problems like oral cancer. Also, smoking and using tobacco products increase the risk of developing oral cancer. Oral cancer is preventable, and you can take steps to reduce the risk. Please continue reading this article to learn more about oral cancer, the connection between oral cancer and oral hygiene, and how to protect yourself to boost your quality of life in Encino.

What Do Studies and Research Say About the Relationship Between Oral Cancer and Oral Hygiene?

Oral cancer includes cancers of different parts of the mouth, the oropharynx, and the lips, and combined, they ranked as the 13th most prevalent cancer globally in 2020. There were 377,713 reported new cases, and approximately 177,757 succumbed to the health condition. Older people and men are at an increased risk of developing this condition, which varies mainly by socio-economic circumstances. Tobacco, areca nuts, and alcohol use are some causes of oral cancer.

According to a study conducted in India and published on the National Center for Biotechnology Information website, poor dental hygiene is a risk factor for oral cancer. The participants with an increased risk of developing oral cancer had poor oral hygiene and used tobacco products. The researchers concluded that practicing good dental hygiene routines and techniques lowers cancer risk. Some of the practices the scientists recommended include brushing with fluoride toothpaste, regular dental check-ups, quitting smoking, eating a balanced diet, and limiting alcohol use.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) also recommend early detection as a key to increasing the survival rate for oral cancer.

Defining Oral Cancer and Its Symptoms

Oral cancer is a type of cancer that forms in any area of your mouth. Mouth cancer can develop on the tongue, lips, gums, inner part of the cheeks, where the mouth begins, and on the mouth’s floor (under the tongue).

Its symptoms can include:

  • Swelling, lumps, rough spots on the lips, cheeks, gums, or other sections within the mouth.
  • Red and white spots inside the mouth.
  • Unusual bleeding within the mouth.
  • Unending sores on the face, neck, or mouth that bleed easily and do not heal in two weeks.
  • Numbness, loss of feeling, or pain in any part of your face.
  • Hoarseness, terrible sore throat, or shifting of voice.
  • Trouble swallowing or chewing, talking or moving the tongue or jaw.
  • Experiencing ear pain.
  • Pain or swelling in your jaw. If you have dentures, they could become uncomfortable or even hard to fit.
  • A change in how your teeth or dentures fit together.
  • Losing weight without trying.

If you notice these symptoms, consult your dentist or healthcare provider immediately.

Oral Cancer Diagnosis

There are several tests that dentists use to diagnose mouth cancer. Not all the tests listed here will be administered to every person; every patient is unique. Your dentist will consider the following factors when selecting the right diagnostic test:

  • Type of cancer suspected.
  • Your age and overall health.
  • Your signs and symptoms.
  • The results of previous medical tests.

Some tests used to detect mouth cancer include the following:

Biopsy Examination

A biopsy definitively detects mouth cancer. The examination entails taking a tiny tissue specimen and studying it closely using a microscope for cancerous cells. Some biopsies are outpatient with local anesthesia, depending on the tumor's location.

Various biopsy methods are available for mouth cancer, including the following:

  • Incisional biopsy — It is the conventional, most commonly used biopsy procedure. The dentist can take out a portion of the cancerous tissue, or sometimes all of it. The process is done in the physician's office using local anesthesia.
  • Brush biopsy — Is pain-free, with no need for anesthetic relief. The doctor spins a tiny brush with stiff bristles on the spot, causing chaffing and minimal bleeding. Next, your pathologist will gather cells from the suspected cancer area and inspect them with a microscope. Your dentist will recommend an incisional biopsy if the test is indecisive or cancerous cells are detected.
  • A fine-needle-aspiration biopsy is often used on a patient with a neck tumor that can only be felt through this procedure. The physician will lodge a narrow needle into the suspected area to extract the cells before inspecting them using a microscope.

Oral Cancer Imaging Tests

Typical imaging exams used to detect mouth cancer are as follows:

  • Computed axial tomography (CAT) scans.
  • Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans.
  • Positron emission tomography (PET) scans.
  • Chest and dental x-rays.
  • Endoscopy.
  • Ultrasound for examining suspicious lumps on the neck.
  • Barium swallow, the upper gastrointestinal (GI) series for examining the stomach and esophagus.

Specialized Cancer Tests

Some tests are done explicitly for mouth cancer, including the following:

  • Autofluorescence imaging — A unique device radiating blue brightness is beamed into the patient’s mouth. Healthy tissue will glow as a result. Tissue that appears dark or fails to light up could be infected with cancer or precancerous. Non-cancerous inflammation can also appear dark in those tests.
  • Chemiluminescent light — Patients cleanse their mouths with a mild acid mixture. Light is used to identify suspicious areas; cancerous cells reflect the light.
  • Mucasol staining involves applying toluidine (a blue dye) to areas where cancer cells are suspected. If some blue areas are left after cleaning, your pathologist will examine them using a biopsy.

If these scan results are positive, your physician will recommend a biopsy.

Treating Oral Cancer

If mouth cancer is detected, your physician will guide you through the best treatment options. Your treatment depends on factors like cancer type, stage, and overall health. Your treatment can be tailored to suit your needs.

Various therapies used to treat cancer include the following:

Surgical Procedure

Typically, the initial cancer treatment is surgery. The surgery is based on the cancer’s progression, type, and stage. If the physician confirms or presumes that lymph nodes contain cancerous cells, they are removed.

Radiotherapy Treatment

Radiotherapy uses intense energy beams to eliminate cancer cells. Doctors can use the rays to identify and treat tumors while minimizing damage to healthy tissue.

Different ways to treat mouth cancer using radiotherapy include the following:

  • Stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS).
  • Proton therapy.
  • Intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT).
  • Stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT).

Chemotherapy Treatment

Cancer cells can be eliminated using chemotherapy drugs by delaying their development and relieving disease-linked symptoms. Chemotherapy can consist of one medication or a mixture of several drugs, depending mainly on the type of cancer and how rapidly it spreads.

At the onset of mouth cancer, chemotherapy could be administered before surgery or with radiotherapy after surgery.

Targeted Therapy

Medication for targeted therapy is made to eliminate or reduce the spreading of cancerous cells. Cancer cells require specific molecules, primarily proteins, to live, grow, and spread. Cancer-causing genes produce these molecules. Targeted therapies are made to obstruct or kill cancerous genes or molecules.

Targeted therapy only treats metastatic health conditions.

Immunotherapy Treatment

The immune system protects your body from infections and ailments. Cancer is a complex illness that can elude and outwit your immune system. However, immunotherapy enhances the immune system’s capacity to eliminate cancerous lumps.

Immunotherapy for mouth cancer is known as an immune checkpoint inhibitor and only treats metastatic or recurrent ailments. It prevents cancer from affecting your immune system, allowing it to pick out cancerous lumps more effectively.

Preventing Oral Cancer by Practicing Proper Oral Hygiene

Oral hygiene is the habit of keeping your mouth clean. It is considered preventive care that prevents oral health issues and offers an excellent chance for a beautiful smile and healthy oral health.

Discussed below are oral hygiene practices to keep your teeth and gums healthy, prevent dental health-related conditions like cancer, and improve your general health.

Quit Smoking

Smoking increases the risk of developing oral cancer and gum disease and causes bad breath and stained teeth. Quitting smoking is the best thing you can do for your health.

Tobacco products contain thousands of harmful chemicals for overall health. When you inhale the smoke, moist oral tissues are saturated with excess hydrogen cyanide and carbon monoxide, among other carcinogens. Oral cancer typically originates from abnormal squamous cell activity (cells found in the mouth, throat, and lips). Cells exposed to consistent cigarette smoke can suffer mutations within the deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA).

Proper Brushing

The American Dental Association (ADA) recommends brushing your teeth with fluoride toothpaste twice daily for two minutes. Brushing your teeth removes food and plaque, a sticky white film that forms on your teeth and contains bacteria.

After consuming a sugary snack or meal, the bacteria in plaque will produce acids that attack the tooth enamel. Ultimately, the acids can destroy the tooth enamel, resulting in cavities. Plaque, if left unremoved, can also harden into tartar, making it difficult to keep teeth clean. Tartar buildup on your gums can give rise to inflammation that leads to gum disease.

If you have arthritis and experience difficulty holding a toothbrush, consider using an electric or battery-powered toothbrush. These toothbrushes get rid of plaque more effectively than manual toothbrushes.

  1. The Right Toothbrush Positioning

How you hold the toothbrush varies according to which section of the mouth you are brushing. Here are steps for proper brushing technique:

  1. Begin with the outer surfaces and ensure you brush at a 45-degree angle, meaning you do half tooth-wide strokes against the gum line. Ensure you reach your rear teeth.
  2. Proceed onto chewing surfaces, hold the brush flat, and brush back and forth along these surfaces.
  3. Once you reach the inner surfaces of your front teeth, tilt the brush vertically and use gentle up and down strokes with your toothbrush's tip.
  4. Ensure that you brush gently along the gum line.
  5. Brush your tongue back-to-front to remove food particles and freshen your breath by eliminating odor-causing bacteria.

  1. Use the Right Toothpaste

Although all toothpastes are created to clean your teeth, some are more effective than others. Some factors to consider when choosing the right toothpaste include the following:

  1. Checking for American Dentist Approval — The seal of approval indicates the product is backed by research and is effective and safe. If toothpaste does not have the seal of approval, it lacks assurance of quality and efficacy.
  2. Your dental needs.
  3. Pick a fluoride toothpaste — The ADA recommends using fluoride toothpaste to brush for excellent oral hygiene and health. Fluoride has proven cavity-fighting properties.

  1. Using the Right Toothbrush

These are things to look out for when choosing a toothbrush:

  1. Soft bristles — A soft-bristled toothbrush is more comfortable and safer.
  2. Size — The right toothbrush head should access all surfaces on your teeth easily. Your toothbrush should also have a long handle for a good hold in your hand.
  3. Expert suggestion — To ensure your toothbrush’s quality and safety, ask your dentist for advice or look for those with a seal of approval from the American Dental Association.

Flossing and Oral Hygiene

Flossing cleans and removes food stuck between your teeth, reducing the bacteria and plaque in your mouth.

Ensure you floss once daily to get the most of the following benefits of this oral hygiene practice:

  • Enhanced removal of harmful breath-causing bacteria.
  • Reducing the risk of cavity.
  • It lessens the possibility of soreness, puffiness, and redness of the gums.
  • Prevents gingivitis, which can progress to periodontitis.

Regular Dental Visits

It would help if you visited your dentist every six months. During the visit, your dentist will examine your gums, teeth, and soft tissues around and in your oral cavity. Early detection of tissue changes is the most effective method to prevent mouth cancer, which can develop from precancerous lesions in tissues lining your oral cavity.

Eat a Well-Balanced Diet

Eating a variety of foods improves your oral and general health. Ensure you eat foods from each of the following major food groups:

  • Fruits.
  • Whole grains.
  • Vegetables.
  • Lean protein sources include lean beef, poultry without skin, fish, dry beans, and peas, among other legumes.
  • Low-fat and fat-free dairy foods.

Also, avoid snacking on processed foods and drinking sugary or acidic beverages.

Finally, drink a lot of tap water. Tap water contains fluoride, that can protect your teeth against decay. 

Find a Skilled Dentist Near Me

Think of your oral health as a gateway to your body, and recall the relationship between your overall and oral health. Proper dental hygiene can significantly reduce your possibility of developing dental health conditions, including oral cancer, and Lasting Impressions Dental Spa can help. We offer the highest degree of dental care to patients of every age bracket throughout Encino. We use a patient-centered approach and can ensure you understand the importance of dental health and proper oral hygiene techniques. Please contact us at 818-751-5100 to learn how to avoid oral cancer and boost your health, happiness, and comfort, improving your quality of life.