Risk Review: 3 Factors that Increase Your Vulnerability to Oral Cancer

Did you know that the American Dental Association recommends visiting your dentist every six months for a routine checkup and cleaning? This allows them to monitor your dental condition, allowing them to catch and treat problem areas before they progress.

However, many patients don’t realize that their dentist also screens the soft tissues of their mouth for signs of oral cancer during routine visits. Although rare, it can potentially be fatal, so it’s essential to catch it early. Continue reading to learn about 3 factors that can increase the risk of developing oral cancer!

Risk #1: Smoking

Smoking cigarettes and vapes, or chewing tobacco, is one of the strongest risk factors associated with cancers of the head and neck, including the oral cavity. In fact, some resources estimate that about 90% of people diagnosed with this condition are tobacco users, and that smokers are roughly six times more likely to develop a problem than non-smokers.

This is partly because these products contain higher levels of various carcinogens and other toxic substances that can damage or mutate your DNA, allowing cancerous cells to flourish and form tumors. This impact is enhanced by consuming alcohol, which weakens our immune system, rendering it unable to fight off the harmful cells.

Risk #2: HPV

Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a group of more than 150 known viruses that commonly cause a growth, like a papilloma or wart, to form. This sexually transmitted condition is often benign and clears up on its own, but sometimes, it causes cell mutations that contribute to various oral cavity and oropharyngeal cancers. It’s unfortunately found in about 2 of every 3 cases of the latter.

However, oral tumors linked to HPV tend to have a more positive prognosis because they’re more responsive to treatments, like chemotherapy and radiation, but not if they also smoke.  

Risk #3: Ultraviolet Exposure

If you have a job that requires you to spend lots of time outside in the sunshine, you should take proper precautions to shield your face. Frequent or prolonged exposure to ultraviolet rays, like from the sun or from tanning beds, can damage cell growth in the skin of your lips, resulting in cancerous tumors.

You can protect your skin by applying appropriate sunblock, with lotion or lip balm, and wearing a hat or other protective covering to provide shade.  

If you are scared that you might be at a heightened risk of developing oral cancer, seeing your dentist every six months for a routine visit can provide some much-needed peace of mind!

Meet the Author

Dr. Byron Reintjes has about 30 years of experience improving patients’ lives by enhancing their dental health. He earned his dental doctorate from the Case Western Reserve University School of Dentistry and is committed to continuing education to offer the most current treatment options. He offers a complete menu of services to people of all ages, including oral cancer screenings, to help you and your family build and maintain happy, healthy smiles. You can request an appointment on the website or call (559) 438-6684.