Common Risk Factors of Oral Cancer

Oral cancer is a severe disease, which can cause serious complications like death. The worst part about oral cancer, just like most other forms of cancer, is the fact that you don’t get to spot the symptoms until it’s too late. Thus, it’s important to avoid risk factors to prevent oral cancer altogether. If you want to optimize your oral health, keep reading to learn about this disease's risk factors so that you and your dentist can cooperate with each other to prevent it:

The use of cigarettes and other tobacco products increases your risk for oral cancer considerably. In fact, for long periods of time, around 80 percent of people who consume tobacco and related products have had oral cancer. Cigarette smoking increases your risk of developing mouth or throat cancer. Furthermore, consuming other tobacco products can increase your risk of cancer in your cheeks, gums and lips.

Drinking excessive alcohol will increase the risk of developing oral cancer as well. Approximately 70 per cent of people diagnosed with the disease are heavy alcohol consumers. If you regularly smoke and drink, you'll face a lot of increased risk of developing these diseases. If you stop these habits, you can lower your risk and have a better chance of keeping your mouth healthier.

Men are twice as likely to develop oral cancer as females. However, the American Cancer Society notices that more women are beginning to use alcohol and tobacco products increasingly, which increases oral cancer in women. Most people diagnosed with this type of cancer are older than 55, with an average age of 62 years.

People who work outside and have a lot of ultraviolet light exposure are at greater risk of developing lip cancer. If you're spending a lot of time in the sun, it's important to wear sunscreen products to prevent the dangerous light from increasing your risk of oral cancer.

Studies have shown that the risk of developing oral cancer is higher for people who do not eat a lot of fruits and vegetables. Try making some healthier nutritional choices to reduce your risk of these cancers and improve overall health.

If you do exhibit one or more risk factors, it’s true that you’re not safe from oral cancer. However, the safest bet is to opt for regular oral cancer screenings at least twice a year to detect the disease in its earliest stages and prevent it altogether. Get the best dentist for your oral cancer screening in Oklahoma City OK. Make an appointment today!