Oral Cancer Foundation
Posted By: Markus OC and oral jewelry - 07-06-2009 03:36 PM
Is there any good information linking OC with tongue piercing etc. (positive or negative).
To me it seems that because of possible irritation this "should" enhance infections etc and therefore should be if not causing it at least giving it a leg up.

My dentist tells his patients that they are at higher risk for OC. (if possible I like to give him some more ammunition). I confess I am a bit biased, I cannot wrap my mind around why anyone would screw around with their tongue unless they have to.

M


Posted By: ChristineB Re: OC and oral jewelry - 07-06-2009 03:42 PM

Ive wondered that same thing. With so many young people piercing their tongues and lips it only makes sense. The trauma would seem to push their risk of OC higher. Havent seen anything documented about it.
Posted By: Cookey Re: OC and oral jewelry - 07-06-2009 04:05 PM
If i live to be 100 i will never understand why anyone would want to do such a thing lol.Its not sexy,its not attractive it has no practical use and in my very humble opinion its bloody daft.
Posted By: AmyK Re: OC and oral jewelry - 07-06-2009 05:52 PM
The kids tell me that there is a "practical" use. That practical use does infact increase your chances of oral cancer. (wink, wink) I can't stand the sight of the things. To me "facial" piercings remind me of the tags on the ears of animals. I tell my childern that what they do is they find the "ugly" people and tag them! And tongue rings make me want to gage.
Posted By: Deejer47 Re: OC and oral jewelry - 07-06-2009 07:23 PM
Each generation has to find a way to shock their elders and in the 60's, we set the bar pretty high for generations to follow.
Posted By: Markus Re: OC and oral jewelry - 07-06-2009 09:30 PM
I would be shocked if "they" could add a few numbers in their head.
True story: how much is 10% of that..... out comes the calculator......!!!???

M
Posted By: EzJim Re: OC and oral jewelry - 07-07-2009 01:34 AM
There are more places that would have to be especially painful, LOL especially on a woman hell that would have to ruin sex too.
Posted By: Markus Re: OC and oral jewelry - 07-07-2009 01:51 AM
Is anybody aware of real data regarding the original question?
M

Posted By: Brian Hill Re: OC and oral jewelry - 07-07-2009 05:59 AM
Marcus - you know how to research this as well as anyone.... but I did a search and called around. No published evidence. Infections? Yes. Hyperkeratosis? Yes. Cancer... nothing to support that. He would have to be one of those that believes that chronic irritation can cause cancer, which the evidence is very weak on.
Posted By: EricS Re: OC and oral jewelry - 07-07-2009 09:12 AM
Each generation expresses themselves differently and yes the tongue piercings do have their benefits, for those that don't know or are slow on the uptake (like me) the tongue piercings are for enhancing oral sex.

Men, now more then ever, are bombarded by being the "sensative" type and so much pressure to be the greatest lovers in the world...to a wicked end I think. So I don't believe it's what they are putting in their mouths as what they are doing with their mouths that is the concern. Let's face it most people think just using a condom is safe sex...it's hard to be seen as a sex god with a dental dam or packin a roll of plastic wrap.

I personally wouldn't be surprised if this was the reason I developed OC even though I was HPV neg...I guess it sure beat smoking in the fun factor but if I knew then what I know now, I'd have bought stock in Saran.

sorry if I offended anyone
Eric
Posted By: Markus Re: OC and oral jewelry - 07-08-2009 04:20 AM
Right Brian,
this is why I asked, I did not come up with anything substantial other than infection. Which is why it seemed plausible that besides bacterial and fungal infections this should (could) also facilitate different viral infections.

M
Posted By: Brian Hill Re: OC and oral jewelry - 07-08-2009 04:48 AM
Markus - I am not well versed enough outside of the HPV arena to comment on bacterial and other viral etiologies. Right now other than HPV, there isn't any evidence that the faster entry of some bacterial or other viral agent would produce a cellular cascade of events to malignancy. Does that mean it couldn't happen? No. After all, it was decades of ridicule before the guys that tied a bacterium to stomach ulcers were given credit for it, as everyone still thought it was a stress related condition. Other viruses (some) need an mechanism of entry, as they do not transfer through epithelial contact as with HPV and need some entry point, and I suppose that a non healing irritation combined with the appropriate cause - that used that spot as a route of entry, could do something. There are 9 viruses known to cause cancers, but HPV is the only one tied to oral at this time. In an allied area there is Epstein-Barr virus which cases naso-pharyngeal cancers (along with nickel exposure as anther primary etiology in factory workers that come into heavy contact with it) But at the end of the day, speaking of what we know today, it just ain't so. What we know ten years from now is anyone's guess, so I try to be careful not to talk in absolutes about things. Just last year we discovered a new virus that causes a previously unknown skin cancer, rare, but goes to show you that we sure don't know it all.
Posted By: Sa19ra Re: OC and oral jewelry - 07-13-2009 01:49 PM
Brian,

Do you think the metals and dyes in the jewelry can be a carcinogen,depending on what kind it is..!!
Some remanent of lead or dyes like diazoaminobenzene which breaks down into benzene in human bodies,would do it -I think.
There are many compounds found to cause genetic damage in some animals.
I was just speculating depending on Ph of every person s saliva & other health factors, various chemicals/metals may have different effect in different people. May be thats why we don't see continuous trend of OC in people with jewelry in the mouth. Like you said What we know ten years from now is anyone's guess, So I won't be surprised if it comes down to type of the jewelry.
Posted By: Brian Hill Re: OC and oral jewelry - 07-16-2009 02:15 AM
I think in all things like this, the fact that most people over look is volume of exposure. Mouth jewelry is small and even if there for decades, probably wouldn't leech enough harmful ions of whatever to cause a problem. Think in terms of radiation. It kills. Big time. But you don't mind sitting in a dentist chair... because the volume of exposure is low.
Posted By: wilckdds Re: OC and oral jewelry - 07-16-2009 03:17 AM
The only ill effects that I have seen in my patients that have tongue and lip piercings is fractured teeth and gum recession.

I recently had a kid in the chair with a lip piercing that was causing an amazing amount of recession on his lower front teeth. I'm glad I'm not his parent because this kid wouldn't even listen to me. It didn't matter to him that he would be paying for his stupidity for the rest of his life.

Jerry
Posted By: Claudia Nelson Re: OC and oral jewelry - 07-16-2009 04:14 AM
Hi Friends.......Just wanted all of you to know that Jim passed away at 9:19 pm tonight, July 15........He is now at peace.. Love, Claudia
Posted By: Pandora99 Re: OC and oral jewelry - 07-16-2009 04:20 AM
Oh Claudia. I am so very sorry for your and your family's loss. I can only imagine how difficult this time is for you, but you are right - he is in peace. His suffering is over. My prayers and thoughts are with you.

Donna
Posted By: Charm2017 Re: OC and oral jewelry - 07-16-2009 08:33 AM
Claudia

I echo Donna's comments. Words are insufficient. This cancer is treacherous and fatal far too often. I hope you find solace and comfort in your faith and friends
Charm
Posted By: davidcpa Re: OC and oral jewelry - 07-16-2009 02:47 PM
So so sorry Glaudia.
Posted By: Bonniey Re: OC and oral jewelry - 07-18-2009 06:30 PM
Claudia,

So sorry to hear about the passing of Jim. My prayers are with you and your family now for even more healing emotionally. He is at peace but it is still very hard to be going through. God bless and take care of yourself too.

Bonnie
Posted By: mhupe Re: OC and oral jewelry - 07-18-2009 07:32 PM
I'm so sorry for your loss, Claudia.
Posted By: suemarie Re: OC and oral jewelry - 07-19-2009 02:54 AM
Call me when you get a chance. I'm thinking about you.

Sue
Posted By: ChristineB Re: OC and oral jewelry - 07-19-2009 03:32 AM
Claudia, I am so sorry for your loss. Wishing you comfort in knowing Jim is now at peace and no more suffering.
Posted By: EzJim Re: OC and oral jewelry - 07-19-2009 11:13 AM
Claudia , Sorry for your loss and I admire you for eing his care taker . Most of you caregivers suffer more than the patienys. Ibet his is looking down and smiling at you.
Posted By: Rett Re: OC and oral jewelry - 12-30-2009 11:56 PM
Claudia, I haven't been on the site in a long while, I'm so sorry to hear about Jim. I know he is at peace now.
I know what a struggle it has been for you and what a good caregiver you were.
Posted By: homershoney Re: OC and oral jewelry - 12-31-2009 03:59 AM
soo sorry for your loss Claudia. i am wishing for peace for you and your family.
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