Risk Factors for Oral Cancer

Posted on 1/20/2019 by Dick Hikade, DDS

When you have a risk factor for a disease, it means that you have more chances of getting that condition than other people.

In some instances, things such as genetics, age, or your environment makes it impossible to reduce your risk factors for contracting a disease such as oral cancer. Other times, behavioral tendencies make it more likely that you will become sick.

Common Risk Factors for Oral Cancer

Oral cancer affects anything in the oral cavity, and lips. Some of the most common risk factors for oral cancer are:

•	Smoking or chewing tobacco. Many people who use or abuse tobacco have oral cancer. Any form of smoking or tobacco chewing is potentially damaging to your mouth and other parts of your body, such as your lungs.
•	Drinking alcohol in excess. Those who drink alcohol in excess are at a higher risk of developing cancer in their oral cavity.
•	Drinking and Smoking. Those who do both of these things together increase their risk 100-fold, according to some studies.
•	Human Papillomavirus (HPV). There has been a dramatic increase in oral cancer from HPV. It is unclear why the jump in the numbers has happened, but there are indications that sexual behaviors in younger people can contribute to these alarming statistics.
•	Ultraviolet Rays Exposure. Those people who are regularly exposed to the harmful UV rays are at a higher risk for oral cancer.
•	Nutrition. Some studies suggest a diet that lacks fruit and vegetables increase the risk for oral cancer.
•	Gender. Oral cancer affects men in more significant numbers than women. The ratio is 2 to 1.

Many other reasons increase a person's risk factors for oral cancer. With this information in mind, it's critical to practice good oral hygiene habits at home and more importantly, keep your regular dental checkups. When you come to our office, our dentist will conduct a visual examination and look for signs of oral cancer.

Get in Touch!

PHONE
(503) 451-5104

EMAIL
office@hikadedental.com

LOCATION
14210 SE Sunnyside Rd Ste 200
Clackamas, OR 97015-5240

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Dental Blog | Sunnyside Dentistry | Clackamas, OR dentist
Dick Hikade, DDS at Sunnyside Dentistry has created this informative blog to help educate the community about dental concerns.
Sunnyside Dentistry, 14210 SE Sunnyside Rd, Suite 200, Clackamas, OR 97015 ~ (503) 451-5104 ~ sunnysidedentistry.com ~ 10/11/2024 ~ Tags: dentist Clackamas OR ~