Cancer is devastating, but through prevention we can often detect oral cancer’s presence in early stages (essential for survival). Oral cancer kills roughly one person per hour in America, more than 34,000 Americans will be diagnosed this year and only half will be alive in 5 years. If you expand the oral cancer to the larynx and the data to world wide, over 400,000 new cases are found each year according to the Oral Cancer Foundation.
Of the many known risk factors associated with oral cancer, cigarette smoking and alcohol consumption are the most common. When you smoke tobacco or drink alcohol, the harmful substances introduced to your body have adverse effects on your organs, and are both addictive and linked to numerous types of cancers, not just oral cancer. There are 50 known carcinogens and among 4000 different chemicals in cigarette tobacco smoke, 9 out of every 10 oral cancer patients are smokers. Frequent drinking will dramatically increase the ability of cancer-causing substances present in alcoholic beverages to penetrate the lining of your mouth, such as Acetaldehyde – which forms in a person’s mouth after using alcoholic mouthwash (suspected to be carcinogenic). Human Papilloma Virus, (HPV) is another common contributor to oral cancer. Common symptoms of the beginning stages of oral cancer include rough bumps or patchy legions on the lips or tongue, or any part of the mouth, white sores which are sensitive to temperature and pressure, and difficulty swallowing.
Unfortunately, most oral cancer cells are malignant and can rapidly spread to surrounding tissues (most of these cases were found in a late stage). Early detection is essential to increasing the chances of successfully treating oral cancer. There are several ways to screen for oral cancer, an advanced and non-invasive way to screen is through use of the VELscope, which produces a fluorescent light onto oral tissues. If the fluorescent luminescence reflects off of the oral tissue, no cancer is present. Cancerous tissue will absorb the light and appear dark on the device. There are other methods for oral cancer screenings also, be sure to request one at your next dental check-up visit, especially if you fall into the high risk group of being male, over 40, who smokes and drinks.
If detected early, oral cancer patients have up to a 90% survival rate. The key to preventing oral cancer is to lead a healthy lifestyle and have regular checkups with both your dental and general health care professional.
If you think mouthwash makes you more kissable, think again!
Don't use alcoholic mouthwash!
Over the counter mouthwash only temporarily masks your bad breath, but the alcohol contained in the mouthwash will dry your mouth out and eventually make your breath worse. Recent studies however have mentioned mouthwash and its potential link to cancer – scary!
Most mouthwash brands contain alcohol in their mouthwash formula. Rinsing your oral environment with any alcoholic substances make it easier for cancer-causing chemicals (like nicotine) to penetrate the oral tissue which lines the mouth, an extreme hazard for smokers. Some mouthwashes even contain alcohol amounts higher than drinks you can purchase in a bar, up to 26% (or 52 proof)! Particularly, ethanol contained in some mouthwash rinses dramatically increase the ability of cancer-causing substances to penetrate the lining of your mouth, and other harmful chemicals such as Acetaldehyde – which forms in a person’s mouth after using alcoholic mouthwash – are suspected to be carcinogenic. Some studies show an increased risk of oral cancer, particularly in the larynx, pharynx or oral cavity, of up to 5 times that of a non-alcoholic-mouthwash user, with alcohol and tobacco user risks even higher of up to 9 times, if alcoholic mouthwashes were used twice daily. Alcohol has long been established as a cancer risk; using alcoholic mouthwash, you have a much higher level of alcohol in your mouth, and combined with swishing it around in your mouth, it carries a very harmful effect on your mouth. More detailed research is necessary to substantiate these claims, but all alcoholic-mouthwash users should take caution.
Keep up your best oral hygiene with good habits: brush and floss twice a day and after every meal (2 minute count-down!), and clean your tongue once a day. Watch what you eat (no more Kimchi), and if you have postnasal drip or airway allergies (or a dry mouth), seek professional help. But what about mouthwash? Although it can benefit your oral cavity for a short period of time, not everyone should be rinsing with mouthwash that contains alcohol, particularly if you’re a smoker.
How do you choose a safe mouthwash? If you enjoy the refreshing sensation from swishing with mouthwash, read the label! There are non-alcoholic mouthwash products that work by neutralizing mouth odors (caused by volatile sulfur compounds) like Oxyfresh, Tom’s Maine Natural Cleaning Mouthwash, BreathRx and Tooth and Gum Tonic (my personal favorite), which is most effective at controlling bad breath. Tooth and Gum Tonic also carries an anti-inflammatory effect from the herbs and essential oil ingredients, which provide therapeutic sensations to gingivitis sufferers. And remember, if you can, quit unhealthy habits like smoking and drinking!
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