The Lipstick Effect: Does Beauty And Grooming Lead To Unintentional Delay In Oral Cancer? Expert Weighs In

When you first hear ‘the lipstick effect’, your mind forms a picture of the economy going down and consumers investing in small indulgences like beauty products even during financial downturns. Beyond economics, there is a subtler and far more concerning dimension to this trend. When it comes to health, ‘the lipstick effect’ talks about the possibility that beauty and grooming habits may unintentionally mask early signs of serious health conditions, particularly oral cancer. 

Every year, we observe the month of April as the World Oral Cancer Awareness Month. Oral cancer is a common illness in India, and it is important to know that oral health involves

more than just cosmetic dentistry.  The scary truth about it is that while the disease is widespread, it usually gets diagnosed at a very advanced stage, even when early symptoms are visible and detectable. We spoke with Dr Jaineel Parekh, Orthodontist at Laxmi Dental Limited, about oral cancer, its symptoms, and more here. 

What Causes Oral Cancer?

According to the National Oral Cancer Registry, the common causes for oral cancer are tobacco consumption habits, either as smokeless tobacco or smoking, and alcohol consumption. Apart from these positive family histories of oral cancer, viral infections like HPV, or poor oral hygiene can also be the underlying cause of getting this disease. 

Symptoms Of Oral Cancer 

Everyday habits such as applying your favourite lip combos, lip care products, facial hair maintenance, breath fresheners, or even cosmetic dental work may unknowingly mask early symptoms of oral cancer. Early warning signs like small ulcers, reddish or whitish spots, or slight colour changes on the lips and in the mouth cavity are usually painless and easily overlooked.

Dr Parekh says that, “Since these symptoms are painless and seemingly trivial, they are easily ignored, particularly by smokers and individuals who are used to experiencing occasional mouth ulcers.”

People often believe that these will simply resolve themselves, but that is not always the case.

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Why is Early Diagnosis Of Oral Cancer Important?

Oral cancer is one of the rare cases of cancer where early detection could make a tremendous difference in terms of the patient’s survival. According to Dr Parekh, “The oral cavity is conveniently available for examination, either a self-check or by the dentist.” Nevertheless, regular dental checkups are uncommon among city and rural residents.

Check out some of the reasons behind why people skip regular dental checkups: 

• Most patients think of dental visits as curative rather than preventive

• The self-inspection of the mouth area is rarely practised

• Tobacco and vaping decreased awareness of oral health

• The lack of knowledge about the early symptoms' appearance

The Importance Of Regular Dental Visits

As other personal care routines are becoming increasingly elaborate, people’s oral health care practices remain largely behind. Dr Parekh believes that, “With today’s advances in dental science, it has become possible to diagnose potentially dangerous areas using advanced medical equipment that spots unusual spots long before they are noticed by the patient. A routine visit to the dentist can turn into a lifesaving procedure.”

Dentists know how to detect early signs which the average person would ignore, considering them mere irritation. However, for this to happen, people should learn to see dental check-ups as a necessary part of their health maintenance routine.

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About Oral Care Beyond Daily Brushing

Oral care does not just mean brushing and flossing or cosmetic treatments. It involves knowledge, self-examination, and screening. This Month, as we mark World Oral Cancer Awareness, here are a few things that Dr Parekh wants you to remember:

• Check your mouth regularly

• Not to dismiss ulcers or spots that persist for over two weeks

• Quit smoking and vaping

• Attend regular dental appointments even if there is no discomfort

Sometimes, the tiniest, most painless spot in our mouths is the first thing our bodies alert us about. A beautiful smile does not lie in the colour of one’s lipstick, teeth whitening, or cosmetic appearance. The beauty of a healthy smile lies in its wellness and awareness. While spending time on making sure we appear well on the outside, let us not neglect the inside!

Image Credit: Freepik

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