Paying Attention to Your Mouth… Oral Cancer Prevention Tips

While oral cancer is not a rare disease, it is particularly dangerous because it tends to go unnoticed. In fact, the potential for death is vastly reduced if cancer is detected early, making treatment less complicated and more than 90 percent curable.

According to Dr. Per Rehnberg, CEO of Snö Dental, oral health is important to overall health and we believe regular checkups can help prevent oral cancer by helping detect it earlier than ever before.

The following are some simple tips from Dr. Per Rehnberg that may help prevent oral cancer:

1. Work on good oral hygiene

Brush and floss your teeth everyday as bad oral hygiene is a known risk factor for oral cancer. Brushing twice daily with fluoride-based toothpaste is imperative in getting rid of the bacteria that causes cavities and gingivitis (inflammation in the gum). Also, if you don’t floss, you will miss cleaning 35 percent of your tooth surfaces as it removes bacteria that thrive on food particles throughout the day.

2. Avoid tobacco products

Smoking has been associated with several kinds of cancer, from the neck to the oral cavity. To significantly decrease your risk of developing oral cancer, avoid tobacco in any form.

3. Maintain self-oral examination

Examine your mouth in good light once a month to check for areas of bleeding, non-healing ulcers, or any swellings, as these may be signs of cancer. Early detection boosts your chances of successful treatment.

4. Eat a balanced diet and live a healthy lifestyle

A diet rich in vegetables, fruits and nuts with regular exercise is a good step in protecting yourself from oral cancer.

5. Visit your dentist

Scheduling six-month check-ups is critical to maintain oral health as early detection and regular preventive examination are vital to surviving oral cancer.

(Credit: Dr. Per Rehnberg, CEO of Snö Dental)
www.Snöclinics.com