Lower Risk of Oral Cancer Linked to Flossing, Dentist Visits
Daily flossing is an important oral health habit that promotes a healthy mouth and body. Yet only 16% of Americans surveyed said they always floss once a day. When asked why they don’t floss, other participants stated that it was either too time-consuming, painful, or gross. Understanding the cause-and-effect relationship between flossing and being healthy can help keep us motivated. Did you know that poor oral health is linked to the development of cancer? Or that oral cancer kills roughly one person per hour, 24 hours a day?
Researchers compared behaviors of individuals who developed oral cancer and those that did not. They saw that people who did not develop cancer went to the dentist regularly and flossed at least once a day.
How Oral Cancer is Caused
One summary of this research states that individuals who went to the dentist less than once a year had nearly twice the risk of developing non-HPV oral cancer than those who went once a year or more. Additionally, individuals who didn’t floss daily had over twice the risk of developing non-HPV oral cancer than those who flossed more.
Oral cancer can affect more than the mouth; it can develop in your throat, lips, mouth, tongue, cheeks, and more. More than 90% of oral cancer is caused by the cells of the throat and mouth mutating (changing) or altering. Cell mutation can be caused by:
- genetics
- HPV (human papillomavirus)
- sun exposure
- weakened immunity
- alcohol consumption
- tobacco consumption
- or a combination of these
What Does Oral Cancer Look Like?
If you or someone you love suspects they may have oral cancer, visit your dentist and doctor if the symptoms persist for more than two weeks. Symptoms of oral cancer include:
- lip or mouth sore that isn’t healing
- white or reddish patches inside the mouth
- a growth or lump in the mouth
- difficulty or pain when swallowing
- loose teeth
- mouth or ear pain
Dental visits help catch cancer in the mouth before it’s developed into something more harmful. Your dentist is going to be one of your first lines of defense to prevent oral cancer. Tell them about any problems you have when chewing, swallowing, speaking, or moving your tongue and jaw. Drinking alcohol in moderation and not smoking will help exponentially. (Smokeless tobacco products can also increase your risk of oral cancer – for more on the impacts of smoking, click here.)
What to Do If You Have Oral Cancer
Your dentist cares about more than just your mouth; they care about your overall wellbeing, too. If they see a warning sign of oral cancer, they may have you return in two to three weeks to reassess. They may also take a biopsy to confirm a diagnosis. Your dentist may refer you to another dentist or your physician for a second opinion. Talk to your dentist about any questions you have during the process. Together, you can formulate the best plan for a healthy mouth and body. To find a dentist in your area, click here.
Is It Ever Too Late to Start Flossing?
It’s never too late to start flossing. Initially, you may experience sensitivity or bleeding. When we don’t perform the right oral hygiene practices, plaque builds up between our teeth and on our gums. This plaque is made up of cavity-causing bacteria that irritates the tissue of our mouth. When we floss and brush properly, we remove the plaque that has been living there for quite some time. The disruption of this plaque can cause bleeding when not done regularly. By continuing good oral health habits, your gums will become healthier, free from the plaque that was weighing them down, and the bleeding and sensitivity will go away.
Looking for tips on brushing and flossing? Click here.
*Updated November 2021
