I go to the dentist 2x a year. I also schedule an exam with my ENT shortly after each dentist visit. My dentist last week said he thought he saw swelling in my throat. I went to the ENT, He ordered an ultrasound for a swollen gland left side. They scanned my neck pretty thoroughly.

All normal! WHEW!

I dipped for 30 years. I’ve quit a few times. The longest was for 3 years. I haven’t dipped tobacco in 1 year. I do dip Smokey Mountain herbal.

Get regular checkups so you can 1) address whatever may develop early, and 2) peace of mind.

Thanks for the PSA lakeforkfisherman. The reason oral cancer has such a high mortality rate is because it goes undetected for so long. You've given great advice here. There's a device called a VELScope we use on suspicious looking lesions and if we see something concerning, we can do a small biopsy and send it in. Just the other day I removed a mean-looking growth on a guy's lower lip but it ended up being benign. We don't always get to give good news but you're right in that tobacco users are more susceptible and the earlier we can give the option to initiate treatment, the better.

J