Dentist
Can Good Dental Health Minimize Your Cancer Risk?

Can Good Dental Health Minimize Your Cancer Risk?

There are a lot of minor health issues that are linked to cancer, including dental health. Many studies have found that poor dental hygiene is linked to oral and other types of cancer. Even though many people tend to ignore toothaches and other issues with their oral health, this can cause long-term problems, such as oral cancer, if they aren’t taken care of immediately.

Oral Cancer

Oral cancer is cancer of the mouth that impacts the lining inside of the mouth or the tissues deeper inside the bones, such as nerves and muscles. Oral cancer can be brutal, but the good news is that it is preventable. If you practice proper oral hygiene habits on a daily basis, you can significantly decrease your chances of ever being diagnosed with oral cancer.

Effects of Oral Cancer

Whether the cancer is due to poor oral hygiene or tobacco use, oral cancer can quickly deteriorate your mouth, teeth, and gums.

When you are diagnosed with oral cancer, you will notice small sores that are on the lining of the mouth or your lips. If you develop a mouth cancer, you may also start losing your teeth or notice discoloration in the gums.

If you begin to develop large cancerous growths on the gums, your gums and teeth will become damaged very quickly. If your bone tissues are damaged, your teeth will begin to loosen inside the jawbone. You may find that it is extremely difficult to chew and swallow due to these growths on your gums.

Prevention of Oral Cancer

Can-Good-Dental-Health-Minimize-Your-Cancer-Risk Oral cancer is one of the few types of cancers that is preventable. Taking a few simple steps can help you avoid the dangers and risks of oral cancer. Here are some tips that can help you prevent oral cancer.

  • Try not to smoke or chew tobacco. Pipes, cigarettes, and cigars are typically the main causes of oral cancer. You can significantly cut down on your risk of being diagnosed with oral cancer if you give up tobacco altogether.
  • Excessive exposure to the sun has the ability to cause lip cancer. Try to remember to use sunscreen if you know you are going to be out in the sun for a long period of time.
  • Continuously check on your lips and mouth when you are brushing your teeth. Make sure you floss regularly and properly.
  • Visit your dentist on a regular basis. Your biannual checkup at the dentist is the best way to prevent oral cancer. Your dentist will be able to check you for signs of oral cancer and provide you with other prevention tips.

Cancer can be a real challenge for everyone involved. It is important that you take care of your teeth and gums so that you can decrease your chances of being diagnosed with oral cancer.

Eli Thornock

Owner at Sound Smiles Dental, a Bainbridge Island, WA Dentist.

Eli Thornock

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