Root canal procedures are commonly used to treat tooth decay that has gone too far, and most patients don’t experience any complications from this type of treatment. However, according to the National Cancer Institute (NCI), it appears that root canal procedures may actually increase your risk of developing mouth cancer, otherwise known as oral cancer. The NCI estimates that there will be around 52,000 new cases of oral cancer in the United States this year, with about 7,500 deaths related to the disease.
The Only Way to Tell If you Have Oral Cancer
Chewing Problems, Swollen Lymph Nodes, and Other Signs. We’ve all had that nagging toothache. But what happens when it doesn’t go away? When pain in your mouth doesn’t subside after a few days, it can be a sign of something more serious like oral cancer. In some cases, oral cancer is painless. That means if you have swelling or lumps in your mouth that don’t seem to go away—even after you get your fill of ice cream—you should visit your dentist or doctor immediately. If left untreated, oral cancer can spread to other parts of your body including lymph nodes and major organs such as lungs and liver. A root canal procedure may cause symptoms that could lead to an untimely death. So how does root canal work and why could it put you at risk for developing mouth cancer? Let’s take a look at how root canal works and what you need to know about post-root canal syndrome.
Common Symptoms of Oral Cancer
Sores that won’t heal or go away. White patches in your mouth, tongue, or throat. Chills with no other cold or flu symptoms. Swollen lymph nodes in your neck, armpits, or groin. A lump in your neck and/or jaw pain that gets worse when you chew on it, like an ache after a night of too much eating and drinking. Difficulty swallowing or speaking. Changes in your voice, such as hoarseness. Bleeding from your gums. Painful ulcers (sores) inside your cheeks or under your tongue that don’t heal within two weeks. Ear pain or ear discharge. Severe headaches. Numbness in your fingers or toes. If you have any of these symptoms, see a doctor right away—they could be signs of oral cancer! The American Dental Association recommends going to a dentist if you notice anything unusual about your teeth or gums. Most dentists are able to perform routine screenings to check for oral cancer during regular checkups, so even if something feels wrong but isn’t severe enough to make an appointment immediately, talk to your dentist about how you’re feeling. Early detection is key; without treatment, oral cancer can spread quickly throughout your body and become fatal.
Most people who develop serious health problems do so because they ignore their bodies' warning signs until they get really bad. Oral cancers usually start out small—which is why it's important to pay attention if something feels off in your mouth and get it checked out early rather than waiting until there's a problem that requires major intervention.
How Common is Oral Cancer?
The American Dental Association (ADA) reports that an estimated 26,000 people in North America will be diagnosed with oral cancer in 2016. The leading cause of death from oral cancer is due to delays in diagnosis or late-stage treatment. Some of these delays can be attributed to a lack of awareness about oral health, which makes some forms of mouth cancer difficult to detect early on. As such, it’s crucial that you know what symptoms to look out for and how frequently you should see your dentist. If left untreated, mouth cancer may spread beyond its original location and into other parts of your body, including your lungs or liver. A study published in JAMA Internal Medicine revealed that patients who had root canal surgery were more likely to develop head and neck cancers than those who didn't have any dental work done. The study involved more than 1 million adults over a 20-year period. Researchers found that individuals who had a history of root canal surgery were 2 percent more likely to develop head and neck cancers than those without any previous dental work done. What's even more surprising is that patients with two or more root canals were 4 percent more likely to develop head and neck cancers compared to those without any previous dental work done.
Causes of Oral Cancer
What Does Research Say About a Link Between Root Canals and Oral Cancer? According to research, root canal is not associated with an increased risk of developing oral cancer. However, there may be circumstances in which having a root canal is correlated with other factors that could lead to oral cancer. For example, smoking and alcohol use have been found to increase your chances of developing oral cancer—both are also linked to root canals. So while research indicates that people who get a root canal aren't more likely to develop mouth cancer, these other risk factors could put you at higher risk. If you smoke or drink heavily (or both), you may want to rethink whether or not getting a tooth extracted with a root canal procedure makes sense for you. The best way to avoid risks like oral cancer is by making smart choices about your health behaviors. Of course, regular dental visits will help detect any issues early on as well!
We'd love to hear from you: Have you ever experienced any problems after getting a root canal? Tell us about it in the comments below! We always read and respond when we can.
To read our full disclaimer, click here . This post was written by Dr. Anthony Moschella & Posted by Nicole Bijou on June 14th 2018
What is Considered Treatment for the Different Kinds of Oral Cancers?
Treatment plans vary widely and depend on a number of factors. Oral cancer is categorized by type: squamous cell carcinoma, adenocarcinoma, and melanoma. It’s also important to consider whether you have other health issues such as diabetes or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Both can make it more difficult to recover from treatment. To ensure you get all available treatments, bring a list of questions with you when visiting your dentist or doctor so you understand your options. If you feel overwhelmed, don’t be afraid to ask someone else for help; there are plenty of sources available that can guide you in choosing a good treatment plan based on your unique needs. The #1 Reason Why People Don't See Dentists: Many people avoid seeing dentists because they fear they will find something wrong. The truth is, while an annual checkup isn’t necessary if you keep up with regular oral hygiene habits, skipping regular dental care increases your risk of oral health problems later on. So schedule an appointment if any of these symptoms seem familiar—even if you haven’t been to see a dentist in years!
If your gums bleed easily after brushing and flossing...or if they appear red or swollen...you may have periodontal disease. Also known as gum disease, periodontal infections often occur below the gum line where most people can’t see them.
What are Your Chances of Survival After Treatment for Mouth Cancers
One common question patients have is, What are my chances of survival after treatment for mouth cancer? The answer to that question depends on a number of factors. But, here are some general survival statistics that can help put things into perspective: In 2010 in the United States, 1,125 people were diagnosed with oral or pharyngeal cancer and 530 people died from it. Five-year relative survival rates vary by primary site as follows: cheek — 70 percent, floor of mouth/under tongue — 60 percent, hard palate/gum — 50 percent and tonsil — 40 percent. After being diagnosed with oral or pharyngeal cancer and undergoing treatment, certain risk factors make it more likely that you’ll die from your cancer than others. These include older age, smoking history, alcohol use and poor overall health. If you fit one or more of these categories, be sure to discuss your personal prognosis with your doctor.
Steps To Take if Suspected to Have Mouth Cancers
It is possible to have mouth cancer if you’ve been neglecting your oral health and then you find a lump in your mouth. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, go see a dentist immediately sores that don’t heal, pain when chewing or swallowing food, lumps or bumps on your gums, or bleeding from your gums. If it turns out that you do have mouth cancer (or something else), it can be treated—but only if caught early enough. While there is no guaranteed way to prevent all types of cancers (except by not smoking), there are steps you can take to help prevent some forms of oral cancers: Brush and floss regularly; avoid smokeless tobacco products; limit alcohol consumption; visit your dentist regularly; and receive regular dental checkups.
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