More than 30,000 people learn they have oral cancer every year in the United States. Oral cancer can affect your mouth, lips, or back of the mouth and throat. The people who are most at risk for oral cancer include those who smoke or chew tobacco, drink alcohol, have more exposure to the sun, or who have a history of head and neck cancer. By stopping these activities, you can lower your risk of getting oral cancer.
The use of tobacco accounts for the most cases of oral cancer. This includes cigarettes, cigars, pipes, snuff, and chewing tobacco. The use of any other tobacco product can still increase your risk of oral cancer. Your risk is even higher if you have been smoking for a longer period of time, especially if you also consume alcohol.
Alcohol drinkers have a higher chance of getting oral cancer over those who do not drink. Alcohol doesn’t just affect your liver, even your mouth is at a greater risk when you drink. The amount of alcohol you drink also affects these chances. By smoking and drinking, your chance of oral cancer increases by 15%. This is because of the dehydration factors that alcohol causes. The cell walls of your mouth get dry and enhance the ability of tobacco carcinogens to enter your mouth tissues.
The inside of your mouth isn’t the only oral area at risk for cancer. Your lips should not be ignored when you are out in the sun. Ultra violet rays not only damage your skin but can negatively affect your lips and increase the chances of lip cancer. Your lips are still made out of skin on the outside but are thinner than the rest of the skin on your face. This should be more of a reason to use lip sunscreen or protective SPF lip balm when you go outside.
Oral cancer can be detected early by your dentist. Routine check-ups will ensure that anything you have will be caught early and treated. If you have a sore in your mouth that doesn’t go away after 14 days, get it checked out by one of our dentists.
