As Oral Cancer Awareness month draws to a close here's a recap of the influences which increase the risk of Oral Cancers?

Smoking

Smoking is the most common cause of mouth cancer. Risk is the same for users of all forms of tobacco, including cigarettes, chewing tobacco, paan, areca nut and guthka.
Research has found that switching to low-tar cigarettes does not help either as users are likely to inhale more smoke to compensate.
Alcohol

Alcohol is another major risk factor – more than 7 in 10 people diagnosed drink more than the recommended daily limit.
Drinking increases the mouth's rate of absorption of tobacco. People who drink and smoke to excess are up to 30 times more likely to develop mouth cancer.
It is recommended that men drink no more than 3-4 units per day and women drink no more than 2-3. (One unit is equivalent to ½ a pint of lager, a single measure of spirits or a small glass of wine).
Diet

A healthy balanced diet containing the recommended five a day fruit and vegetable portions can help lower mouth cancer risk.
Studies have also suggested that each extra portion of fruit and veg lowers risks yet further.
Eat green and yellow fresh fruit and vegetables every day - bananas, peppers, broccoli, beans and cabbage are good sources of beta-carotene that can help to prevent other cancers too.
Fish and eggs have also been linked to reduced risk.
Sunblock

To prevent lip cancer, make sure you wear protective screening lotion when the sun is shining.

All Absolute Dental patients can be reassured they are routinely screened for abnormalities of the soft tissues at every examination appointment.

Written by Denise

We aim to keep our patients up to date with information regarding not only their dental health but also there overall health and as we have previously written there is all too often a link between the two.
The global statistics regarding diabetes make for sobering reading: - Every 10 seconds a person dies from diabetes-related causes- Every 10 seconds two people develop diabetes- Diabetes affects 246 million people worldwide and is expected to affect some 380 million by 2025- Each year another 7 million people develop diabetes- Each year, 3.8 million deaths are linked directly to diabetes-related causes including cardiovascular disease made worse by diabetes-related lipid disorders and hypertension
One of the most frightening things is that there are many people who have no idea they have the condition, putting their long-term health at risk through blissful ignorance.The link between systemic conditions such as diabetes and oral health has been getting stronger in recent years; with a growing body of evidence to highlight how diabetes, if poorly controlled, can affect the perio status of a patient.Dental practices are seeing more and more patients trying to manage their perio (gum) condition and diabetes at the same time. The team here at Absolute are keen to work with our patients, to assist them in every way we can and give advice on diet, brushing techniques and home management.

For more advice please call 01548 852165

Written by Emma

If in doubt get it checked out
Mouth Cancer Awareness campaign continues throughout November, endeavouring to make everyone aware of the signs of mouth cancers and the importance of regular examinations in order for detection of any abnormalities to the soft tissues. Earlier detection of the disease increases the survival rate to more than 90%.
* 1 person in 10 has never heard of throat cancer - more awareness being the over 50's age group
* An increasing number of young people are being diagnosed with the disease.
* It kills more people than testicular and ovarian cancer combined.
* The incidences of mouth cancer have increased by over 40% during the past decade.
* There has been an increase in 10% over last year's figures to 6000 new cases a year.
* Drinking alcohol to excess is a major risk factor for mouth cancer, this combined with a smoking habit increases the risk further.

The response to an article published in the Kingsbridge Gazette and radio interview on Heart Radio promoting our Mouth Cancer open morning has been encouraging with patients saying when they ring to book their appointment, that they were not sure whether they have been checked for mouth cancers at their routine examinations with their own dentists. All patients attending Absolute Dental are routinely screened and are made aware of what changes we, and they should be looking out for.
If you missed the Heart Radio interview you can listen to it by following the link www.heart.co.uk/southhams/local/news/truth-mouth-cancer/
There are still limited spaces available for our Mouth Cancer Awareness open morning November 24th, all welcome, to reserve your place please ring 01548 852165

‘If In Doubt, Get Checked Out’

November sees the launch of Mouth Cancer Action month.

Absolute Dental is helping to raise awareness of Mouth Cancer Action Month in Kingsbridge by organising an event for the campaign. We are opening our doors to the general public to have a Mouth Cancer screening free of charge on Wednesday 24th November, an appointment will be necessary so call now to book your place to avoid disappointment.

Andy Ballantyne from Heart Radio came to Absolute Dental last week to interview Rhodri John, Principal Dentist on the importance of regular screening for this disease which affects over 5,000 people in the UK annually and kills almost 2,000 people each year - one death every 5 hours. Listen out for the broadcasts and visit the link http://www.heart.co.uk/southhams/local/news/truth-mouth-cancer/

Professional check-ups and regular self-examinations are the best route to early detection of mouth cancer. Early diagnosis saves lives, improving survival chances from just half of cases to more than 90%.
Early warning signs include ulcers which do not heal within three weeks, red and white patches in the mouth and unusual changes in the mouth.