I paid my dentist a visit for my semi annual exam and cleaning. Because I am a pipe smoker it was suggested that i have an oral cancer screening. It consisted of a careful examination of all the surfaces of my mouth under ultraviolet or similar type illumination to reveal any abnormalities while they still minute in size Fortunately everything is normal
Given the fact that we are all exposing ourselves to a known potent carcinogen I think it would be prudent for everyone who enjoys the hobby to get screened. Oral cancer is no joke. If it doesn't kill you it can leave you permanently disfigured.
Its non intrusive and painless test so there's no reason not to have it. Given the dense network of blood vessels in your tongue oral cancer can spread rapidly so needs to be caught at stage 0 or 1
He also gave me some suggestions to reduce risk. Move the pipe around in your mouth so the smoke is not hitting the same spot on your tongue all the time. Drink lots of water and irrigate the tissues in your mouth. Dont drink alcohol while you smoke as its a risk multiplier. Finally he asked me how many bowls I smoked a week. When I honestly told him 10-15 bowls a week he frowned and told me he would rather have heard 5 or less.
I'm not trying to preach to anyone about the evils of tobacco. As I type this I'm smoking a bowl of Carol Burn's Rumcake and sipping a glass of Catskill Mountain distillery Fearless Wheat whiskey. After all you only live once
Given the fact that we are all exposing ourselves to a known potent carcinogen I think it would be prudent for everyone who enjoys the hobby to get screened. Oral cancer is no joke. If it doesn't kill you it can leave you permanently disfigured.
Its non intrusive and painless test so there's no reason not to have it. Given the dense network of blood vessels in your tongue oral cancer can spread rapidly so needs to be caught at stage 0 or 1
He also gave me some suggestions to reduce risk. Move the pipe around in your mouth so the smoke is not hitting the same spot on your tongue all the time. Drink lots of water and irrigate the tissues in your mouth. Dont drink alcohol while you smoke as its a risk multiplier. Finally he asked me how many bowls I smoked a week. When I honestly told him 10-15 bowls a week he frowned and told me he would rather have heard 5 or less.
I'm not trying to preach to anyone about the evils of tobacco. As I type this I'm smoking a bowl of Carol Burn's Rumcake and sipping a glass of Catskill Mountain distillery Fearless Wheat whiskey. After all you only live once