Oral Exams Could be a Good Indicator of Lung Cancer
A simple inspection of your cheek could reveal potential life-threatening lung cancer, says the leading oral cancer researcher in the country, Dr. Li Mao.
“We hypothesized that tobacco-induced molecular alterations in the oral epithelium are similar to those in the lungs,” which may prove to be a vital cog in the future of lung cancer prevention trials, explained Mao.
Dr. Mao, professor at the University of Maryland Dental School, is pioneering the idea that tissue in your cheek can be an excellent indicator for tobacco-induced lung cancer. As he continues to pursue the links between oral indicators and cancer, it’s important to realize that this discovery has even broader implications: that doctors, researchers, and scientists are coming together to realize and promote the importance of oral care in our overall well-being.
At The Center for Natural Dentistry, we have built our practice on the foundation that good, proper oral care is vital for our overall health; that what goes into the mouth affects the body. Now prominent members of the medical community are starting to build and promote the bridge between medicine and dentistry.
If we can prevent and/or catch lung cancer early by simply examining tissue from your cheek, what will it mean for the future of preventative medicine? Hopefully it means that we will all take a more vested interest in caring for our bodies as a whole, rather than as individual parts.
Dr. Marvin, I recently retired and only have dental coverage left for 6 months. I stopped going to my dentist after reading books on whole body dentistry and my dentist did a root canal without fully explaining what procedure he would do. Now I have a root canal filled with gutta percha and the post holding the crown broke off and out came the crown. I’m weary of the root canal getting infected but can’t seem to find a hollistic dentist near Fresno,CA unless you know of one to recommend. I also still have a lot of metal fillings which I’d like replaced with composite fillings or something less toxic..
Hi Alex, I don’t know of anyone in particular in your area, but you may want to check on the IAOMT’s website as a start. They have a search function to look for a doctor in your area. Their website is http://www.iaomt.org. We have plenty of patients from Northern California and would be happy to add you to the schedule with an exam in the morning and time in the afternoon to do any necessary treatment if you’d like to come down and see us. Just give us a call at 888-825-5351 if you’d like to schedule.
Thanks and good luck!
Dr. Marvin