Mouthwash and Poor Dental Hygiene may
Increase Risk of Oral Cancer
According
to researchers from the Leibniz Institute for Prevention Research and
Epidemiology with help from Glasgow University's Dental School, they note that
every year, close to 40,000 Americans are diagnosed with a form of oral cancer,
with close to 8,000 resulting in death. Worldwide, 640,000 people will be
diagnosed with oral cancer, ranging from cancers on the tongue, the floor of
the mouth, on the gums or even in the cheeks, according to NPR.
For
drinkers and smokers, the risk for oral cancers are much higher.
"The
most common cancer in young men in countries like India and Pakistan is oral
cancer, attributed to chewing betel nut or 'paan'," said Bhuvanesh Singh,
a neck and head cancer surgeon from the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center,
"It is a global epidemic."
Whether
you're practicing good oral hygiene or not, and especially for those who smoke
and/or drink often, it's important to know the signs and symptoms of oral
cancer. Take a look at the following points, courtesy of the National Institute
of Dental and Craniofacial Research's website to see if you're at risk. Regular
dental cleanings and checkups are also important for overall health.
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