An expert has shared a simple addition to your morning routine that may help lower your risk of a particular type of cancer.
Mouth cancer is characterized by a growth of cells that begins in the mouth, affecting areas like the lips, gums, tongue, or the inner lining of the cheeks, as well as the roof or floor of the mouth.
According to Mayo Clinic, this type of cancer is classified as head and neck cancer and can present various symptoms.
Symptoms include a sore that doesn’t heal, a white or red patch inside the mouth, loose teeth, a lump or growth, mouth pain, ear pain, and difficulty or pain while swallowing.
A dentist has now identified a three-minute daily task that might help reduce the risk of developing mouth cancer.
Miranda Pascucci, a Dental Therapist and Head of Clinical Education at TePe, pointed out that flossing can help minimize plaque build-up, which may consequently lower the risk of mouth cancer.
She explained: “If you brush your teeth with a toothbrush alone, you’re only cleaning about 60 percent of your tooth surfaces – the rest is hiding where your toothbrush can’t reach – between your teeth.
“Most dental disease starts between your teeth where food and plaque accumulate. Plaque build-up doesn’t just lead to tooth decay and gum disease – the bacteria and inflammation it causes can also increase your risk of mouth infections and, in some cases, mouth cancer. Keeping your mouth clean and healthy helps lower that risk.”
Miranda suggests incorporating flossing into your daily routine, emphasizing: “Brushing alone only cleans 60 percent of your tooth’s surface. A healthy oral cleaning routine includes brushing your teeth twice a day using a fluoride toothpaste and cleaning the remaining 40% of your tooth – the gaps in your teeth – at least once a day with a TePe Interdental Brush.”
Delta Dental of Arkansas has discussed the connection between oral hygiene and mouth cancer.
While a direct link is not established, research indicates that poor oral health could be associated with the development of this cancer.
They state: “Flossing is indirectly associated with a reduced risk of oral cancer rather than a clear cause-and-effect relationship.
“It’s not as simple as saying, ‘If you floss, you won’t get oral cancer,’ or ‘If you don’t floss, you will get oral cancer’; neither statement is accurate.
“However, researchers discovered that poor oral health and hygiene promoted chronic inflammation and the development of certain types of oral cancers.”