What Are The Common Risk Factors Of Oral Cancer?

Oral cancer is a serious disease with life-altering health complications and even leads to death in extreme situations. Just like any cancer, many people don’t identify the symptoms of cancer until it’s too late. Therefore, it is vital to lead a healthy life along with avoiding the risk factors that cause oral cancer. If you want to take good care of your dental health by avoiding oral cancer’s risk factors, keep reading. One of the most important precautions that you can take for oral cancer is opting for regular oral cancer screening with your dentist, at least twice a year.

Three risk factors that make you more prone to oral cancer are as follows:

1. Consumption of tobacco: It is a fact that consuming tobacco products considerably increases the oral cancer risk. The majority of individuals who smoke tobacco tend to have oral cancer. Smoking cigarettes puts you at a greater risk of developing throat or mouth cancer. Moreover, tobacco consumption can even make you susceptible to cancer in the gums, lips, and cheeks.
2. Alcohol consumption: Excessive alcohol consumption also increases your risk of developing oral cancer. Around 70 percent of individuals who are diagnosed with oral cancer are heavy drinkers. If you drink and smoke regularly, you are likely to be at a higher risk of developing oral cancer. Thus, to lower your oral cancer risk and have a better chance of keeping your mouth healthier, getting regular oral cancer screening is vital.
3. Gender and age: As per medical data, men are two times more likely to develop oral cancer in comparison to females. Additionally, the American Cancer Society reports that an increasing number of women are starting to consume more alcohol and tobacco products, which in turn, is contributing to a rising rate of oral cancer among women. Most individuals diagnosed with oral cancer are aged above 55, where the average age of people is found to be 62 years.
4. Low Nutrition: If you don’t include fresh fruits and vegetables in your daily diet, you might be at a higher risk of contracting oral cancer. Thus, you must choose nutritional and healthy food items to lower your cancer risk along with improving your health in general.

If case you notice any of the above-listed risk factors, it is time for you to schedule oral cancer screenings in New Lenox, IL, because you might be at risk of developing oral cancer. At Nelson Ridge Family Dental, we provide several general dentistry services in New Lenox, IL, along with oral cancer screenings. For consulting the best dentists in New Lenox, IL, get in touch with us today!