Poor oral health increases cancer risk

Poor oral health increases cancer risk

05/04/2014

The risk of upper cancers is increased by smoking, alcohol and bad oral hygiene. This is the conclusion of an international study recently published. Mouthwash may also increase the risk.

Bad oral health and irregular dental visits
As a study of patients with upper cancers of the carcass has shown, poor oral health and irregular dental visits play a role in carcinogenesis. There is also evidence that excessive use of mouthwash may be another cause of these particular cancers. This is the result of a Europe-wide collaborative study recently published in the journal „Oral Oncology“ has been published. The participating scientists identified new risk factors for cancer of the upper air and food routes. In total, the study included data from 1,962 patients with oral and throat cancer and another 1,993 healthy controls from 13 centers in nine countries.

Smoking and alcohol have long been known as risk factors
It has been proven for some time that smoking and alcohol consumption, especially in combination, causes the development of oral and throat cancer. Low socioeconomic status is also considered a risk factor for carcinogenesis. Thanks to the methodical approach and the large number of participants, it was now possible to separate the influence of the individual risk factors such as smoking, alcohol consumption and low socioeconomic status. Of course, although several risk factors in combination naturally increase the likelihood of carcinogenesis, the researchers found that poor oral health and irregular dental care are considered independent factors. Factors such as frequent bleeding of the gums and wearing dentures were considered in the study as a sign of poor oral health.

Even with dentures regularly to the dentist
„People who wear dentures and no longer have their own teeth should not think that dental visits are superfluous“, said David Conway, lecturer at Glasgow University Dental Clinic and co-author of the study, according to the Austrian „The standard“. „On the contrary, who wears a prosthesis should still go regularly to the dental check“, the scientist continued. The frequency of dental visits should be determined by the dentist. For low-risk patients, once a year, a higher risk may require a six-month visit.

Excessive mouthwash use increases cancer risk
The study also showed that excessive use of alcoholic mouthwash - more than three times a day - was associated with an increased risk of oral and throat cancer. „The causative role of mouthwash in carcinogenesis needs further investigation“, said the Bremen Professor Wolfgang Ahrens. However, it has not been determined whether a certain variety of mouthwash is responsible for the increase in risk. The coauthor of the Conway study advises not to use mouthwash on a daily basis. The most important thing is the regular brushing and the use of dental floss in combination with regular visits to the dentist. (Ad)

Picture: Gerd Altmann, pixelio.de