{"id":27971,"date":"2025-06-13T12:00:49","date_gmt":"2025-06-13T17:00:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.oraldna.com\/trends-in-salivary-testing\/?p=27971"},"modified":"2025-05-29T10:19:35","modified_gmt":"2025-05-29T15:19:35","slug":"an-imbalanced-oral-microbiome-can-cause-throat-cancer-but-you-can-prevent-it","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.oraldna.com\/trends-in-salivary-testing\/index.php\/2025\/06\/13\/an-imbalanced-oral-microbiome-can-cause-throat-cancer-but-you-can-prevent-it\/","title":{"rendered":"An Imbalanced Oral Microbiome Can Cause Throat Cancer, But You Can Prevent It"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><a href=\"https:\/\/healthfirstconsulting.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-15955\" src=\"https:\/\/www.oraldna.com\/trends-in-salivary-testing\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/HealthFirstConsultingLLC-Logo-2017L.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"660\" height=\"111\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.oraldna.com\/trends-in-salivary-testing\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/HealthFirstConsultingLLC-Logo-2017L.png 2250w, https:\/\/www.oraldna.com\/trends-in-salivary-testing\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/HealthFirstConsultingLLC-Logo-2017L-300x50.png 300w, https:\/\/www.oraldna.com\/trends-in-salivary-testing\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/HealthFirstConsultingLLC-Logo-2017L-1024x172.png 1024w, https:\/\/www.oraldna.com\/trends-in-salivary-testing\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/HealthFirstConsultingLLC-Logo-2017L-768x129.png 768w, https:\/\/www.oraldna.com\/trends-in-salivary-testing\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/HealthFirstConsultingLLC-Logo-2017L-1536x257.png 1536w, https:\/\/www.oraldna.com\/trends-in-salivary-testing\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/HealthFirstConsultingLLC-Logo-2017L-2048x343.png 2048w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Every April, there is a campaign to bring awareness to head and neck cancers. What exactly are head and neck cancers?<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Head and neck cancers affect the mouth, throat, sinuses and nose, salivary glands, or larynx (the voice box). Their hallmark is that they involve squamous cells, which line the mouth, throat, and sinuses\u2014those wet, mucous-rich surfaces.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>How do head and neck cancers take hold?<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Cancer cells are damaged cells that can live forever. Cancer requires one or more of these processes:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Inflammation \u2013 malfunctioning cells from ongoing redness, swelling, and pain.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Harmful byproducts \u2013 toxins from bad microbes that damage cells.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Zombie cells \u2013 cells that don\u2019t die when they should.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Suppressed immune system \u2013 a weak immune system can\u2019t destroy rogue cancer cells.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">DNA changes \u2013 UV light, toxins, radiation, or stress can mutate DNA.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Weak microbiome \u2013 good bacteria normally defend against cancer; when weakened, they can\u2019t.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><b>Why do some people have pathogenic microbes but don\u2019t get cancer?<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">HPV is a virus responsible for 70% of throat cancers. Almost everyone contracts it, but only 0.3\u20131.3% of infections develop into cancer\u2014most people clear it. A healthy microbiome may prevent HPV from causing cancer. Other studies suggest good mouth bacteria help prevent head and neck cancers.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Possible explanations for asymptomatic infections include:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Immune response<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Inflammation<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Dormant microbes<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Microbiome balance<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Microbial virulence<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Coinfections<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Cancers are complex and multi-factorial. One actionable area is infection. Certain microbes are implicated, like Helicobacter pylori. HPV 16 and 18 are the most common high-risk types causing oropharyngeal, cervical, and penile cancers.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>The oral microbiome and dysbiosis<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The oral microbiome includes bacteria, fungi, parasites, bacteriophages, and viruses. Normally beneficial, these microbes can become pathogenic if the microbiome is imbalanced (dysbiosis), often from poor dental hygiene. Signs include:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Cavities<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Bleeding gums<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Gum disease<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Bad breath<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Infections<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Tooth loss<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><b>Balance the oral microbiome to prevent cancer:<\/b><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Get <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/Heal-Your-Oral-Microbiome-Inflammation\/dp\/1612439004\/ref=sr_1_3?crid=1QC4NJP2GAELK&amp;dchild=1&amp;keywords=heal+your+oral+microbiome+book&amp;qid=1618940180&amp;sprefix=heal+your+oral%2Caps%2C165&amp;sr=8-3\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Heal Your Oral Microbiome<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Brush, floss, and get dental checkups.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Get screened\u2014some dental offices offer <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/oralcancerfoundation.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">free screenings<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> in April.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Eat whole, fiber-rich, colorful foods.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Eliminate sugar and refined carbs.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Take chewable probiotics with Streptococcus salivarius.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.oraldna.com\/test\/ohpv-complete\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Test for oral HPV<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, dysbiosis, and pathogens.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Test inflammation with hs-CRP.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Stop smoking and drinking (including alcohol-based mouthwash).<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Use organic foods and non-toxic dental products.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Optimize nutrition for immune support.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><b>Testing helps detect harmful oral microbes before they cause damage.\u00a0<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">OralDNA Labs\u2019 <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.oraldna.com\/test\/ohpv-complete\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">OraRisk\u00ae HPV<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> tests 50 HPV types linked to oral cancers. Other saliva tests screen for harmful bacteria. Consumers can now access oral microbiome tests to <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/healthfirstconsulting.com\/blog\/the-best-oral-microbiome-tests\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">assess microbial balance<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and cancer risk.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This condensed version is adapted from Cass Nelson Dooley\u2019s <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/healthfirstconsulting.com\/blog\/an-imbalanced-oral-microbiome-can-cause-throat-cancer-but-you-can-prevent-it\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">full blog<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Cass offers a monthly newsletter on the oral microbiome, gut health, allergies, and toxins. Find more at <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.oraldna.com\/practice-protocols\/HFC\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Health First Consulting<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> on our <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.oraldna.com\/practice-protocols\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Protocol Directory<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.oraldna.com\/get-started\/\" rel=\"noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-25260 alignnone\" src=\"https:\/\/www.oraldna.com\/trends-in-salivary-testing\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/joinoraldna.png\" alt=\"Join OralDNA\" width=\"774\" height=\"221\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.oraldna.com\/trends-in-salivary-testing\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/joinoraldna.png 1404w, https:\/\/www.oraldna.com\/trends-in-salivary-testing\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/joinoraldna-300x86.png 300w, https:\/\/www.oraldna.com\/trends-in-salivary-testing\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/joinoraldna-1024x292.png 1024w, https:\/\/www.oraldna.com\/trends-in-salivary-testing\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/joinoraldna-768x219.png 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 774px) 100vw, 774px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Every April, there is a campaign to bring awareness to head and neck cancers. What exactly are head and neck cancers? Head and neck cancers affect the mouth, throat, sinuses and nose, salivary glands, or larynx (the voice box). Their hallmark is that they involve squamous cells, which line the mouth, throat, and sinuses\u2014those wet, <a class=\"read-more\" href=\"https:\/\/www.oraldna.com\/trends-in-salivary-testing\/index.php\/2025\/06\/13\/an-imbalanced-oral-microbiome-can-cause-throat-cancer-but-you-can-prevent-it\/\">Read More<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":89,"featured_media":15955,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[167,149,58],"tags":[168,7,254,148,80,147,17,76,15,3,46,24,263],"class_list":["post-27971","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-cancer","category-oral-cancer","category-oral-hpv","tag-cancer","tag-hpv","tag-oral-cancer","tag-oral-cancer-awareness-month","tag-oral-hpv-and-cancer","tag-oral-microbiome","tag-oral-systemic-connection","tag-periodontal-disease","tag-saliva-test-for-bacteria","tag-salivary-diagnostics","tag-salivary-testing","tag-testing-mouth-bacteria","tag-throat-cancer"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/www.oraldna.com\/trends-in-salivary-testing\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/HealthFirstConsultingLLC-Logo-2017L.png","jetpack_sharing_enabled":false,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p7W16z-7h9","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.oraldna.com\/trends-in-salivary-testing\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/27971"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.oraldna.com\/trends-in-salivary-testing\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.oraldna.com\/trends-in-salivary-testing\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.oraldna.com\/trends-in-salivary-testing\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/89"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.oraldna.com\/trends-in-salivary-testing\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=27971"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/www.oraldna.com\/trends-in-salivary-testing\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/27971\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":27981,"href":"https:\/\/www.oraldna.com\/trends-in-salivary-testing\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/27971\/revisions\/27981"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.oraldna.com\/trends-in-salivary-testing\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/15955"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.oraldna.com\/trends-in-salivary-testing\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=27971"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.oraldna.com\/trends-in-salivary-testing\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=27971"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.oraldna.com\/trends-in-salivary-testing\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=27971"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}