Oral Cancer: Early Detection Can Save Your LIfe

Each year in the United States, more than 35,000 new cases of oral cancer are diagnosed.  About 7,500 patients die from the disease every year.  Screening for early changes in your mouth, as well as your face and lips , can help detect cancer at a stage when it can be more successfully treated.  During a dental exam, your dentist will check these areas for lumps, bumps, and reoccurring sore areas.

What are the Signs of Oral Cancer?

• a persistent sore or irritation
• red or white patches
• pain, tenderness, or numbness in mouth or lips
• a lump, thickening, rough spot, crust, or small eroded area
• difficulty chewing, swallowing, speaking , or moving your jaw or tongue
• a change in the way your teeth fit together when you close your mouth

Am I at Risk for Cancer?

Anyone can get oral cancer.  However, it occurs most often in people who smoke cigarettes, cigars, or pipes and drink heavily (30 drinks or more per week).  That combination is estimated to cause the majority of oral cancers diagnosed in the United States.  People who often spend long periods of time in the sun are also at higher risk for lip cancer.  Another risk factor is the use of smokeless tobacco products.  In addition, infection with the human papilloma virus (HPV) can cause cancer in certain parts of the oral cavity.

Oral Piercing--Is it Worth It?

Body piercing is a popular form of self-expression.  But piercing isn't just a matter of style--it's a health issue too.

In particular, piercing the tongue, lips, cheeks, or the uvula--the tissue that hangs at the back of the throat) is not as safe as you think.  That is because the mouth's moist environment is home to huge amounts of bacteria, creating an ideal place for infection to start.

If you are thinking about getting a piercing--or if you already have one--here are some health risks you should know about:

Infection--given that the mouth contains bacteria, oral piercing carries the potential for infection at the site of the piercing.  Any food particles that collect around piercings are breeding grounds for bacteria.

Prolonged bleeding--damage to your tongue's blood vessels can cause serious blood loss.

Swelling--swelling commonly occurs after oral piercing.  Severe swelling can even block your airway.

Nerve damage--if this happens, you may experience temporary or permanent loss of feeling in your tongue.

Excessive drooling--oral jewelry can cause excessive saliva production and affect your ability to pronounce words clearly.


Damage to teeth and gums--some people develop a habit of biting on the barbells which can lead to injury to the gums and cracked and broken teeth--I have seen this MANY times!

Allergic reactions--the metal may cause an allergic reaction

X-rays--mouth jewelry must be removed to take x-rays or it will interfere with our ability to diagnose properly.

Bloodborne disease transmission--oral piercing has been identified as a possible factor in transmission of hepatitis B, C, D, and G.

Heart problems--oral piercing carries a potential risk of inflammation of the  heart valves or tissues.  Bacteria can enter the bloodstream through the piercing site and travel to the heart where it multiplies.

If you already have piercings:

1.  Contact your dentist immediately at any signs of infection, swelling , pain fever, chills, shaking or a red-streaked appearance around the piercing.
2.  Keep the piercing site clean.
3.  Minimize chewing on the jewelry.
4.  Remove jewelry when playing sports.
5.  See your dentist regularly so they can check for any problems.