Reducing Your Risks: The Dental Connection!

Since April is National Oral Cancer Awareness Month, our office felt that it was important to discuss some ways that each one of our valued patients can reduce their risk for oral cancer!

Nearly 40,000 people in the United States will be diagnosed with oral cancer this year, and more than 8,000 die every year from this disease.  While there is no way to predict exactly which individuals will get oral cancer, there are some potential causes you should know about--because in some cases, you can minimize these risk factors!

• AGE (most patients diagnosed are over the age of 40)
• TOBACCO USE (either from cigarettes or smokeless chewing tobacco)
• EXCESSIVE ALCOHOL CONSUMPTION (especially in combination with tobacco use)
• PERSISTENT VIRAL INFECTIONS (such as HPV 16)
• DIET (especially one low in fruits and vegetables)

Although no one can change their age, genetics, or ethnicity, many of the factors listed above can be modified, which can reduce the risk of developing oral cancer!

If you have any dental questions or are in need of a dental appointment, please call our office at 918-455-0123!

God Bless,

DRT