5 Ways to Prevent Oral Cancer
According to the Oral Cancer Foundation, approximately 53,000 Americans develop oral cancer every year out of which, 9000 die.
Fortunately, maintaining a healthy lifestyle and making changes to your diet can considerably lower the risks of developing oral cancer.
Turn to Vegetables and Fruits
The antioxidants and vitamins in vegetables and fruits strengthen the immune system, reducing the risks of oral cancer.
Brussels sprouts, carrots are particularly good for your oral health. Consider boiling or steaming your vegetables. Frying them in oil could affect their nutrition value and in fact, make them likely to promote cancer growth.
Limit Alcohol Intake
Excessive drinking is also closely linked to oral cancer. According to Forbes, you’re more likely to get cancer if you have more than 4 drinks a day. And those odds significantly increase if you’re smoking as well.
Quit Smoking
If you smoke, quitting now can significantly reduce risks of you developing oral cancer years down the line.
Regardless of how long you’ve been smoking, stopping at any time is considered beneficial. The same goes for individuals who chew tobacco.
If you spend time around people who smoke regularly, you may be constantly exposed to secondhand smoke, which is as likely to cause cancer in the throat, mouth and lungs. According to the Iranian journal of Public Health, secondhand smoke has more than 4000 chemicals, many of which are known carcinogens.
Daily Brushing and Regular Dentist Visits
Brushing your teeth at least twice a day is good for your oral hygiene while at the same time, it also reduces the risks of developing oral cancer. However, many of us still miss out on our daily dental care routine. This is just one of the reasons why you should consider visiting your dentist regularly.
Dentists are able to identify early symptoms of oral cancer and can recommend measures that prevent it from spreading.
Utilize Sun Protection
Spending significant time under the sun doesn’t just cause skin related problems but it may also have detrimental effects on your oral hygiene, particularly your lips. If possible, try to stay away from direct sunlight mid-day; that’s when it’s the most harmful. It’s better to go out wearing a hat that covers your entire face, and regularly apply lip balm with SPF 15 or more.
Get to know more about oral cancer by giving us a call at +1-972-987-4343 or schedule an appointment with Waterfront Smiles Dentistry, Frisco, TX.
If you have any sort of dental emergencies, give us a call Waterfront Dentistry for all sorts of dental services in The Colony, Little Elm, and Frisco, TX.
