Can Bad Oral Hygiene Lead to Oral Cancer?

26

Jan

Bad oral hygiene can lead to cavities, bad breath, and gum disease. This can result in more serious dental disorders like oral cancer. Keep reading to learn more about the relationship between oral cancer and bad oral health.

What is Oral Cancer?

Body cells can multiply, grow, and die. Cancer cells are cells that stop functioning normally, leading to the development of abnormalities. Oral cancer develops when mouth cells become abnormal, multiply, and infiltrate neighboring tissues. These aberrant cells affect the neighboring tissues by attacking other normal functioning and healthy cells.

The mouth is scientifically referred to as the oral cavity. Our oral cavities include teeth, gums, the portion of the tongue that occupies the center of the mouth, the floor, and the roof of the mouth. It also includes the inner and exterior of the lips, the insides of the cheeks, the teeth, and the gums. Oral cancers of the mouth are classified into three types based on their location: the lips, the tongue, and the mouth.

Apart from the tongue and gums, the back of the mouth (the oropharynx) is another location for oral cancer to develop. This type of mouth cancer is known medically as Oropharyngeal cancer. The most common sites where throat cancer develops are the tonsils, the upper throat, the tongue's back, and the mouth's roof.

The Link Between Bad Dental Practices and Developing Oral Cancer

Swollen and bleeding gums, cavities, and dental problems commonly signify poor dental hygiene. Tobacco use and excessive alcohol consumption are also common risk factors for oral and throat cancers. However, neglecting your dental health can lead to serious diseases, including oral cancer.

Oral health is extremely important to our bodies. The mouth and throat are the most common access points to the rest of the body, including the lungs, the nervous system, and the digestive system. Failure to maintain proper oral hygiene could damage it and potentially cause oral cancer. These cases account for 7 percent of all cancer cases worldwide.

Statistics show that 270,000 new oral cancer cases are reported every two months. It ranks as the 5th most prevalent cancer in males and the 7th in women.

Researchers have found a correlation between poor dental hygiene and the development of oral cancer. Those who use tobacco and consume alcohol are at an even greater risk. Research has shown that maintaining good oral hygiene can dramatically lower the chance of getting oral cancer.

Oral Cancer Symptoms and Risk Factors

Oral cancer symptoms can be confused with everyday dental issues or mouth changes. For instance, you might see spots inside the mouth that you cannot remove with a scraper. These patches could be early signs of cancer.

These signs manifest as blotches in the throat and mouth, but the colors vary. They may include :

• Erythroplakia—these spots might be either slightly elevated or completely flat and red. If you scrape these areas, you might see some blood
• Leukoplakia—they appear as small, flat, gray blotches in the throat or mouth
• Erythroleukoplakia—these blotches are white and red

Common Signs and Symptoms of Oral Cancer

Below are some signs and symptoms of oral cancer:

• Lip or mouth sores that easily bleed and take longer than two weeks to heal
• Regions of the mouth that shed blood for no apparent reason
• Rough or crusty patches on the gums, lips, or the interior of the mouth
• Earache
• Numbness, soreness, or soreness on the neck and face or inside the mouth for no obvious reason
• Unintended weight loss
• Issues with swallowing, chewing, moving the tongue or jaw, or speaking
• Chronically foul breath

The Effects of Oral Cancer on Your Mouth

Your dental health will significantly decline due to oral cancer, whether caused by poor dental hygiene or for some other reason. Here are some of the effects it might have on your mouth.

• Development of tiny sores or bumps, particularly in the initial phases
• It could affect your gum tissue, making it less effective at securely securing your teeth in place
• It can result in the loss of teeth or the emergence of weak teeth
• It causes pain throughout the throat and dental, making it difficult to chew or swallow.
• It could cause bone tissue damage inside the jawbone.
• The inability to chew or swallow properly could also result in malnutrition.

Recognizing Early Signs of Oral Cancer

Early detection of oral cancer can lessen the likelihood that it will advance or spread. Regular self-examinations, ideally once per month, can help you spot oral cancer in its early stages. Don't hesitate to call your dentist if you notice any unexpected changes.

How Do Medical Professionals Diagnose Oral Cancer?

Regular dental exams allow your dentist to look for signs of oral cancer. They might order additional preliminary exams or suggest that you see a head & neck or oral surgeon. These experts are also known as ENT (ear, nose, and throat) experts. Common diagnostic procedures for oral cancer are:

A physical examination. The doctor will examine the full interior of the mouth and could also use his or her fingers to probe the areas immediately surrounding your mouth. They'll look for indicators of cancer or precancerous abnormalities in your face, head, and neck.

Brush biopsies, also known as exfoliative cytology or scrape biopsy. To acquire cells to test for cancer, medical professionals gently scrape the region using a little spatula or brush.

Incisional biopsy. The medical professional will take small amounts of tissues to get cells for cancer screening.

Indirect pharyngoscopy and laryngoscopy. To examine the back of the tongue, the throat, and a portion of the larynx, your healthcare professional utilizes a tiny mirror with a long and thin handle.

Direct laryngoscopy and pharyngoscopy. To view portions of your neck and mouth that are hidden from view, they could employ an endoscope. It consists of a thin, bendable tube fitted with a viewing lens and light.

What Should I Expect When My Treatment For Oral Cancer Is Done?

Your healthcare practitioner will discuss how the exact treatment you received for oral cancer can impact your daily life if you have undergone treatment for oral cancer.

For instance, in some cases, extracting the tumors from the lip or mouth might successfully address oral cancer. However, a patient whose mouth cancer has progressed will have undergone a separate and more complex procedure that could have involved reconstructing a portion of their jaw or mouth.

No matter what, you could require routine follow-up visits with your medical professionals, including your dental practitioner.

How Oral Hygiene Reduces Risk of Developing Oral Cancer

When people don't take care of their teeth and gums, it can lead to problems including tooth loss, bleeding gums, and persistent bacterial infections, all of which can raise the likelihood of developing oral cancer. Avoiding high-risk habits, eating well, and keeping up with regular oral hygiene will all help you maintain healthy teeth and lower the risk of getting cancer.

To avoid gum disease and other oral health issues, you can take the following actions:

Brush your teeth at least twice each day. To increase the effectiveness of your brushing, think about utilizing a battery or electric-operated toothbrush. Brushing your teeth twice a day will help maintain clean tooth surfaces while also preventing gum disease.

Floss at least every day. Flossing can remove plaque and bacteria from hard-to-reach areas between teeth. When flossing, move the floss gently up and down between each tooth to get rid of food debris. If you do not floss, food particles between the teeth could start to decay, resulting in tooth cavities and bad breath.

Rinse your mouth out with mouthwash. Regular fluoride rinses help to preserve the tooth enamel, making cavities less likely to form.

Get dental checkups twice yearly. Maintaining healthy gums, teeth, and mouth requires regular checkups and prompt diagnosis and treatment of any issues that may arise.

Undergoing Regular Screening

The best strategy to prevent mortality from oral cancer, which has a high potential for rapid spread, is early detection. Regular dental checkups that include a thorough mouth examination could help spot early symptoms. Make an appointment to see your dentist if you want more information about oral cancer tests and risk assessments.

Other than brushing and flossing, regular trips to a dentist and receiving professional dental cleanings can also be essential for maintaining healthy teeth and gums.

Professional Dental Cleanings and Checkups

When you visit the dentist for a dental cleaning, you could also have your mouth checked for oral cancer. A dentist can carry out an extensive oral examination before cleaning a patient's teeth. The dentist can use light to examine the mouth's soft tissues for any signs of disease or damage. Also, if the patient has any lesions or bumps in their mouth, they could use a special dye to highlight them.

The dentist can also check the soft tissues around the mouth for any abnormalities, such as lumps. If the dental health professional notices something suspicious, more testing could be required to rule out the existence of cancerous cells.

Oral cancer risk can be reduced by treating dental issues promptly. Certain strains of the human papillomavirus (HPV) are responsible for infections, which can lead to cancer. Oral cancer can develop from these strains if they are present in the mouth.

Good oral hygiene practices can prevent complications in these ways:

• Cleaning your mouth regularly can eliminate the growth of bacteria
• Practicing good oral habits such as regular dental checkups goes a long way toward preventing oral cancer
• Infections like tooth decay and gum disease can be avoided along with consequences like cancer if treated promptly

Severe gum disease can trigger malignant cell transformation. Tartar and plaque buildup, which can lead to serious periodontal disease, can be avoided with regular dental cleanings.

These checkups should be scheduled regularly to help people break unhealthy oral habits such as smoking and poor dental hygiene. Dentists use their expertise to advise patients on improving their oral health through lifestyle changes, including eating healthy foods and using mouthguards.

A skilled dentist can also assist their patient in getting over their fear of visiting the dentist's office. In this way, patients can establish a regular schedule for dental checkups, which is beneficial for their oral health.

FAQS About Oral Hygiene and How It Relates to Oral Cancer

Below are frequently asked questions on oral hygiene and its relation to oral cancer.

What Role Does the Oral Cavity Play?

Our oral cavities play important roles in our bodies. Examples of these roles include preparing and forming boluses, tasting, and swallowing, to name a few. Additionally, the oral cavity facilitates verbal communication and serves as the primary entry point for two key human systems: the respiratory system and the digestive tract. Poor dental hygiene and the resulting risk of oral cancer can wreak havoc in this region.

What Factors Contribute to Poor Dental Hygiene?

Many factors can cause poor dental hygiene. These include excessive alcohol consumption, chewing or smoking tobacco, and eating areca nuts. The combined impacts of these and many other elements have been found to have a detrimental effect on a person’s dental hygiene.

How Does Neglecting Your Dental Health Lead to the Development of Cancer of the Oral Cavity?

Poor dental hygiene is closely related to the development of oral cancer. It intensifies the cancer-causing effects of other substances, like alcohol and tobacco, which are already known to cause the disease. One way it contributes to cancer is by speeding up the endogenous nitration process, which is how tobacco metabolites like nicotine and cotinine are converted into carcinogenic compounds.

What Should I Expect If I'm Diagnosed With Oral Cancer?

"Oral cancer" refers to cancer that develops in the mouth. Oral cancer, like other cancers, is less likely to spread if detected and treated early. Discuss with your dental practitioner about scheduling checkups after treating oral cancer.

How Does Maintaining Good Dental Hygiene Prevent Oral Cancer?

Tobacco usage is one of the leading causes of gum tissue loss, which leads to tooth loosening and pre-cancerous lacerations. If you want to avoid the bleeding gums, tar-coated teeth, and bad breath that often accompany heavy alcohol use, you should avoid using alcohol.

You can help prevent oral cancer by changing your bad habits and routines. Here are some tips you can practice to reduce the risk of developing oral cancer:

• If you chew tobacco, use a water pipe, or smoke it, you should try to stop or cut back. Discuss options for quitting smoking with your doctor
• If you like to drink alcohol, do so in moderation
• Don't forget to put on your sunscreen. Protect your skin and face from the sun by applying sunscreen that contains UV-AB-blocking ingredients
• Get a vaccine for human papillomavirus
• Try to maintain a healthy diet
• Get your teeth checked frequently. Oral cancer screenings should be performed every three years for those between the ages of 20 and 40 and once a year for those beyond the age of 40

What Should I Ask My Healthcare Provider About Oral Cancer?

The following are examples of general inquiries you can pose to your doctor about oral cancer:

• How is precancerous oral cancer different from oral cancer?
• Should I expect this to be a short-term or long-term problem?
• In what ways could my unhealthy lifestyle have contributed to my cancer?
• How many and what kinds of tests will I have to take?
• What is the most effective course of action?
• Is there anything else that could be done than what you've suggested so far?
• Will I require reconstructive surgery if I end up needing a surgical procedure?
• Is it necessary for me to consult a specialist? How much will it be, and will my health insurance pay for it?
• Is there anything I can do to ease the symptoms?

How Can Adjustments to My Daily Routine Contribute to My Treatment and Recovery?

Early detection is key to successfully treating oral cancer. Therefore, you need to schedule biannual visits to the dentist and perform a self-exam at least once a month. One of the most essential strategies to prevent oral cancer is to minimize or stop the usage of tobacco products.

Cancer diagnoses can be frightening. The good news is that you can count on having others around to help you. If you need help approaching loved ones with your oral cancer diagnosis, your healthcare professionals should be a good place to start.

Find an Oral Cancer Specialist Near Me

Taking care of your teeth and gums can drastically reduce the probability of getting oral cancer. Additionally, regular dental checkups every six months can benefit your oral health. The sooner it is detected, the less damage it will do.

If you need a dental checkup, you can visit The Whittier Dentist. Our dentists will examine your mouth and will be able to identify any dental issues, including any signs of oral cancer. Our specialists are always available to take care of all of your dental needs. Call us today at 562-632-1223.