Aging and Oral Health: Cancer

Dr. Maryam Brazdo and the staff at Artistic Touch Dentistry are committed to dental health as a part of total body health. And today we continue our aging and oral  health series with some statistics on oral cancer.

The average age for an oral cancer diagnosis is age 60, and 90% of all oral cancer cases occur in adults age 45 and up. While you may think of dental visits in terms of prophylaxis (cleanings), cavities, and X-rays, our doctors also screen the soft tissues of the mouth and throat for oral cancer. Early detection of oral cancer prevents it from spreading and can prevent chronic pain, loss of function, facial and oral disfigurement, and even death.

Risk factors for oral cancer include:

• Tobacco use (#1 cause of oral cancer)
• Alcohol consumption
• Sun exposure (can cause cancer of the lip)
• Age (45+ at greater risk)
• Gender (2/3 of oral cancer cases occur in men)

Remember that dental care screens for issues you wouldn’t think to check for at home. Brushing and flossing is just the beginning, but Dr. Maryam Brazdo will check for a variety of health issues as she assists with your oral care regimen at any age.