If you sense any symptoms of Oral Cancer, then make an appointment with us at Acharya Dental and get tested.
Early Signs of Oral Cancer
Most oral cancers can be cured if caught early. Be on the lookout for abnormal growths; white or velvety red patches on the mouth; persistent sores or swelling; repeated bleeding; or a numb or a painful area. You can also reduce your risk by avoiding tobacco and prolonged exposure to the sun; eating a balanced diet; using alcohol in moderation; and practising good oral hygiene. Make an appointment with us at our clinic if you want to learn more about oral cancer prevention and care.
Stop Smoking
Every smoker should know Christopher Columbus. He was the man who discovered tobacco and introduced it to the world. Every smoker should also know about the impact of smoking on his oral health. Recent studies have been disturbing. So far you have heard every physician patiently telling you to cut down or give up smoking because “It is bad for your health”. You stifle a yawn, you have heard it all too often.
Here is the doctor’s file on the effects of smoking.
Cigarette smoking is related to lung cancer, cancer of the gullet and bladder. Cigarette smoking is the most important cause of chronic bronchitis. Smokers have a higher death rate from heart disease than non-smokers. Pipe smoking seems related to lip cancer. As if all this were not enough to set the alarm bells ringing the dentist has now stepped into the picture with revelations about smoking and oral health. Yes, you guessed right – smoking is bad for the teeth as well. It is usual for the dentist to warn patients about the risk of getting white patches in the mouth that could lead to oral cancer. In every day practice, however, what dentists really see most frequently are the major consequences of smoking and gum disease.
Studies done in the 1970s showed that the effects of smoking or gum diseases were not so serious and were mostly due to poor oral hygiene in general among smokers. A decade later in the 1980s with increasingly sophisticated methods, it was found that smoking had a direct independent association with gum diseases.
Researches found that smoking caused a greater loss in the bone that supports the teeth. In smokers teeth got looser faster and there is greater incidence of receding gums.
In a very recent study these early studies have been categorically proved beyond doubt. What happens and how:
In smokers more bone is lost with more smoking. The tooth supporting fibres and bone are affected but ht effect seems to be not local as one would imagine but by a systemic influence by altering the response of the root to disease. Even gum treatments are not very successful because of this altered response. Exposing the mouth to years of tobacco use causes gum disease, cavities of the tooth surface and root surface and subsequent tooth loss. Smokers generally have reduced saliva that is, the mouth is generally dry. This dryness allows plaque and bacteria to adhere to the teeth better and thus sets the stage the disease.
Research suggests that smoking has a biologic effect on bone tissue and may be the cause of decreased calcium absorption. In effect in ageing smokers the mineral content of bone is reduced. Looked at objectivity, it is not surprising that smoking has such a devastating effect on oral tissues. With every puff a smoker inhales 2-4,000 chemicals in each 50mg inhalation.
Just look at the list of smoking associated oral diseases.
- Loss of appetite
- Delayed would healing
- Smokers palate (black patches on palate)
- Gum disease
- Bad breath
- Stains on teeth
- Altered taste and smell
- Dental caries
- White patches in mouth (leukoplakia)
- Chronical fungal infections
- Birth defects
- Oral cancer
A dozen problems. Life is complicated as it is. Why complicate it further? Your sanity and your teeth are at stake. Why not give up smoking today?
Put That Cigarette Down
It is simply not worth the bother. Do not delude yourself that a cigarette in hand will win you admiring looks. Puffing away is neither hep nor healthy.
In high school, our group of friends was the most closely knit and the best known group of five, admired by the juniors and acknowledged by the teachers. We did very well academically. Vivek, Abdul, Albert, Akshay and me. The formidable five. No one said it openly but we competed to be at the top, to get the best grades, wear the best clothes and be the most popular. Money was never lacking. Someone would always provide. After all, our folks had enough to spare. We were all equal on the face of it, but wait. There was me. Not very tall, 5.5” in my socks. I had a problem making new friends and meeting people. Heck, I was too shy. Vivek, who was the unelected group leader, looked great. His hair was naturally wavy and when he flicked back that arrogant lock which hovered over those grey-green eyes. God, he looked good. Some guys had all the luck.
Since last month he had further added to his charisma-a cigarette had appeared between his fingers. The overall picture was just toot much for the girls to resist. How I wished I could adopt that casual air of nonchalance. I was dejected. Then one day, Vivek called me to the cigarette. Me and a fag? That was too much. What would the old man say? But wait, he did not have to know. I ran home to see how I looked. The mirror in the bathroom never told a lie. The cigarette looked great, no, – I looked like I had class. I was pleased. Tomorrow, New Year’s eve and what and effect I would create on the crowd.
That was the summer when I had just turned 15. I have never looked back since then. Until now. That desperate need for recognition and acceptance translated into adult behavior. Tobacco was my constant companion – my support when I was lonely. My constant companion to share my happy moments with – my everything.
I am 45 now. The other day I noticed a small white patch on the inside of my left cheek. There was no pain, it only felt a little thickened, a bit rough. There was also less feeling in that area. The other funny thing was that when I wanted to put that pani-puri into my mouth, I found I could not open my mouth wide. Hey, what’s going on? I decided to go to a dentist. Here is what he told me.
White patches may be one of the earliest signs of cancer of the mouth. Oral cancer is about four times more common in tobacco users that those who do not smoke or chew tobacco. Smokers are also at great risk of gum disease where the supporting fibres and bones of the teeth are destroyed and cause loosening of the teeth. In fact this problem is more common than cancer. In smokers the amount of bone loss increases with smoking. Smoking exerts mainly a system of influence and affects the tooth supporting structures by interfering with the body (root) response system. Also smokers are at great risk of tooth decay. Treatment for controlling existing gum disease also holds out less chance of healing with people who smoke.
The possible method by which smoking affects dental health is not clear. There are 2000 to 4000 chemicals in each 50mg inhalation of material a smoker inhales with every puff.
Tobacco smoking or chewing – is definite self-destructive behavior. Look at all that you stand to lose – your peace, your health, your sanity and your teeth.