Mouth cancer affects thousands of people each year, yet many don’t understand the risk factors that contribute to its development. Understanding what causes oral cancer can help you make informed decisions about your health and lifestyle choices.
Taking proactive steps to protect your oral health is crucial for prevention. Visit Ultra Dental for a comprehensive oral cancer screening to catch potential issues early and maintain your overall well-being.
What is oral cancer?
Oral cancer, also known as mouth cancer, develops when cells in your mouth, lips, tongue, gums, or throat begin to grow uncontrollably. This type of cancer can occur anywhere in your oral cavity and may spread to nearby tissues if not detected early. Most oral cancers are squamous cell carcinomas, which start in the flat cells that line your mouth and throat. Early detection significantly improves treatment outcomes, making regular screenings essential for maintaining good oral health.
What are the signs of mouth cancer?
- Sores in your mouth that don’t heal within two weeks
- Unusual colored patches on your tongue, gums, or inside your cheeks that don’t disappear
- Pain or difficulty when eating, swallowing, or moving your tongue
- A sore throat that doesn’t improve with treatment
- Loss of feeling in your oral tissues
- Persistent bad breath that doesn’t improve with proper oral hygiene
- Unexplained tooth mobility or jaw discomfort
- Hoarseness or changes in your speaking voice that persist for weeks
4 Types of Mouth Cancer and Their Causes
Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Squamous cell carcinoma is the most common type of mouth cancer, accounting for about 90% of all oral cancer cases. This cancer develops in the thin, flat cells that line the inside of your mouth, throat, and lips. These cells normally protect the underlying tissues, but when damaged by carcinogens, they can begin growing uncontrollably. Squamous cell carcinoma often appears as a red or white patch that doesn’t heal or as a persistent sore in your mouth. Early detection is crucial because this type of cancer can spread quickly to nearby lymph nodes and other parts of your body.
Specific Causes of Squamous Cell Carcinoma
- Heavy use of tobacco products
- Excessive alcohol consumption
- HPV infection
- Excessive sun exposure
Verrucous Carcinoma
Verrucous carcinoma is a less aggressive form of mouth cancer that grows slowly and rarely spreads to other parts of your body. This type of oral cancer appears as a white, warty growth that has a cauliflower-like appearance on your gums, cheeks, or tongue. While it doesn’t typically metastasize, verrucous carcinoma can grow quite large and cause significant damage to surrounding tissues if left untreated. This cancer is most commonly associated with long-term use of smokeless tobacco products and poor oral hygiene habits.
Specific Causes of Verrucous Carcinoma
- Smokeless tobacco use
- Ill-fitting dentures, sharp teeth, or repeated oral trauma
- Betel nut chewing
Minor Salivary Gland Carcinoma
Minor salivary gland carcinoma develops in the small saliva-producing glands located throughout your mouth, particularly in your lips, cheeks, and the roof of your mouth. This type of mouth cancer is relatively rare but can be more aggressive than other forms of oral cancer. The tumors often appear as painless lumps or swellings that grow slowly over time. Because these cancers can occur in various locations within your mouth, they may be harder to detect during routine examinations.
Specific Causes of Minor Salivary Gland Carcinoma
- Previous radiation therapy to the head and neck area
- Inherited genetic mutations that increase cancer susceptibility
- Age-related changes
- Slightly more common in women than men, though the reasons aren’t fully understood
Lymphoma
Lymphoma in the mouth typically develops in the lymph tissue of your tonsils, base of tongue, or soft palate. This type of cancer affects your immune system cells and can appear as painless swellings or masses in your mouth or throat. While oral lymphomas are relatively uncommon, they can grow quickly and require prompt medical attention.
Specific Causes of Oral Lymphoma
- Immune system disorders
- HIV infection
- Epstein-Barr virus
- Chronic inflammation
- Immunosuppressive medications
How to Prevent Mouth Cancer
- Quit using tobacco products – Stop smoking cigarettes, cigars, or pipes, and avoid smokeless tobacco like chewing tobacco or snuff to dramatically reduce your mouth cancer risk.
- Limit alcohol consumption – Drink alcohol in moderation or avoid it completely, as excessive drinking significantly increases your chances of developing oral cancer.
- Practice excellent oral hygiene – Brush your teeth twice daily, floss regularly, and use an antiseptic mouthwash to maintain healthy oral tissues and reduce inflammation.
- Protect your lips from sun exposure – Use lip balm with SPF protection and wear a hat when spending time outdoors to prevent UV damage to your lips.
- Get regular dental checkups – Visit your dentist every six months for professional cleanings and oral cancer screenings to catch potential problems early.
- Maintain a healthy diet – Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables rich in antioxidants, which help protect your cells from damage that can lead to cancer.
- Consider HPV vaccination – Talk to your healthcare provider about HPV vaccines, which can help prevent the types of HPV that cause oral cancer.
- Address chronic irritation – Fix sharp or broken teeth, replace ill-fitting dentures, and treat any persistent sores or irritation in your mouth promptly.
- Stay informed about your family history – Know your genetic risk factors and discuss them with your healthcare provider to develop an appropriate screening schedule.
- Avoid risky sexual behaviors – Practice safe oral practices and limit your number of sexual partners to reduce your risk of HPV infection.
How is oral cancer diagnosed?
Getting an accurate diagnosis is crucial for successful mouth cancer treatment and improving your chances of recovery. Early detection through professional screening can identify cancerous or precancerous changes before they spread to other parts of your body. Your dentist or doctor uses various examination techniques and diagnostic tools to thoroughly evaluate suspicious areas in your mouth. The sooner oral cancer is diagnosed, the more treatment options you have available and the better your long-term prognosis becomes.
What Happens During an Oral Cancer Screening
- Visual examination of your mouth – Your healthcare provider examines your lips, gums, tongue, and inside of your cheeks using bright lighting to look for unusual colors, textures, or growths.
- Physical palpation of oral tissues – The examiner gently feels your tongue, floor of your mouth, and roof of your mouth to check for lumps, bumps, or areas of thickness that might indicate mouth cancer.
- Neck and jaw examination – Your provider feels along your neck, under your jaw, and around your ears to check for swollen lymph nodes that could signal cancer spread.
- Throat and tonsil inspection – Using a small mirror or light, the examiner looks at the back of your throat and tonsil areas where oral cancer can sometimes develop.
- Documentation of suspicious areas – Any unusual findings are carefully noted and may be photographed to track changes over time during future screenings.
- Biopsy recommendation if needed – If suspicious areas are found, your provider may recommend a tissue biopsy to determine whether the cells are cancerous or benign.
- Follow-up scheduling – Based on your risk factors and examination results, your healthcare provider will schedule appropriate follow-up appointments for continued monitoring.
6 Benefits of Regular Oral Cancer Screenings
Early Detection Saves Lives
Regular oral cancer screenings significantly improve your chances of survival by catching mouth cancer in its earliest stages. When oral cancer is detected early, before it spreads to lymph nodes or other parts of your body, the five-year survival rate can be as high as 90%.
Less Invasive Treatment Options
When mouth cancer is caught early through regular screenings, treatment options are typically less invasive and more successful. Early-stage oral cancers may only require minor surgery or localized treatments rather than extensive procedures that remove large portions of your mouth, tongue, or jaw.
Reduced Treatment Costs
Detecting mouth cancer early through routine screenings can save you thousands of dollars in medical expenses. Early-stage cancer treatments are generally less expensive than advanced cancer care, which may require multiple surgeries, extensive chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and long-term rehabilitation. Regular screenings are a small investment compared to the potentially overwhelming costs of treating advanced oral cancer.
Peace of Mind and Reduced Anxiety
Regular oral cancer screenings provide peace of mind by confirming that your mouth is healthy or catching problems early when they’re most treatable. If you have risk factors for mouth cancer, such as tobacco use or family history, routine screenings can help reduce your anxiety about developing the disease.
Professional Monitoring of High-Risk Areas
During regular screenings, your healthcare provider can identify and monitor areas in your mouth that may be at higher risk for developing cancer. Some people have precancerous lesions or chronic irritation that requires ongoing observation to ensure these areas don’t progress to mouth cancer.
Education and Prevention Guidance
Regular oral cancer screenings provide opportunities for your healthcare provider to educate you about mouth cancer prevention and risk reduction strategies. During your appointment, you can discuss lifestyle changes, proper oral hygiene techniques, and other ways to lower your cancer risk.
Conclusion
Understanding the causes of mouth cancer empowers you to make informed decisions about your health and lifestyle. While some risk factors like genetics and age cannot be changed, many causes of oral cancer are preventable through smart choices and good oral hygiene habits.
Don’t wait to take action for your oral health. Schedule an appointment with us at Ultra Dental today for a comprehensive oral cancer screening. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and X for more oral health tips, and check out our reviews on Yelp to see what our patients are saying.