Lip health and oral health

Animated illustration of a young woman with blue hair and red lips. Her hair is moving as it is being blown by the wind

Not many people think about lip health as part of oral health, but it is. This includes more common concerns, like chapped lips, and more serious ones, such as lip cancer.

Lip cancer, the most common oral cancer, can present with a non-healing sore, discoloration (light or dark patches), and tingling or pain. To treat this cancer, surgery may be required that can impact your ability to eat and speak, leading to disruptions in your oral health and daily life.

Illustration of a smiling mouth with a hand holding Lip Balm containing SPF

The risk of lip cancer is higher for:

Those with fair skin
Men
Older adults
Immunosuppressed individuals
Those who frequently overuse or abuse alcohol
Tobacco users (cigarettes, chewing tobacco, cigar/pipe use)
People with Human Papillomavirus (HPV) infection
Excessive exposure to UV radiation from the sun

Note about sunburn: Sunburn can happen on your lips, if you don’t protect them. Don’t forget to apply sunscreen to your entire face before spending time in the sun, including your lips! Use a lip balm with a Sun Protection Factor (SPF) of at least 30 every day, rain or shine. As with other types of sunscreen, SPF-30 lip balm should be re-applied every 2 hours or more often, as needed.

Lit cigarette with a red circle with a slash through it - no smoking sign

Things you can do to decrease your risk of lip cancer:

Don’t use tobacco. If you use tobacco, consider quitting.
Avoid drinking alcohol excessively.
Avoid excessive sun exposure - wear a hat with a wide brim and avoid being out in the sun during peak hours of 10 am- 4 pm.
Use SPF-30 lip balm daily.
Decrease the risk of HPV infection by getting vaccinated. The HPV vaccine is approved for ages 9-26. If you’re between 27 and 45, talk with your doctor to find out if you might be a candidate for HPV vaccine.

Sources:

This information in this post is for general educational purposes only and does not warrant or represent any information as related to health as specifically appropriate for you. It is not intended to be medical advice or replace the relationship that you have with your health care providers. You should always seek medical advice on any diagnosis or treatment from a qualified health care provider. The information is provided “as is” without any representations or warranties, express or implied.

Eileen Crespo, MD

Dr. Eileen Crespo is the Vice President of Medical Services at Delta Dental of Minnesota. She is a practicing pediatrician of over 25 years. She graduated from Syracuse University with a BS in Biology and received her medical degree from the State University of New York at Buffalo. She is currently a fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), Co-Chapter Oral Health Advocate (COHA) of the Minnesota American Academy of Pediatrics, and a member of the Board of Directors of Children’s Dental Services, and the Minnesota Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics.