It is no secret that alcohol, especially in excess, is unhealthy. Many people (correctly) associate alcohol consumption with liver damage, some still point to reduced healing times and brain damage, yet very few understand the emerging link that is being identified between alcohol excess and oral cancer. Why might alcohol, in contrast with other drinks, cause havoc in your oral health?
Understanding the Connection
The dentists at the Oral Cancer Foundation list alcohol abuse (in excess of 21 standard drinks per week) as the second largest risk factor for the development of oral cancer. Worse yet, they go on to suggest that combining alcohol and tobacco use synergistically increase the damaging effect they individually have upon oral health. It is assumed that this heightened risk comes largely from alcohol’s dehydrating properties, which allows the rampant growth of bacteria; additionally, alcohol has been shown to decrease the body’s ability to create antioxidants and other natural defensive measures against cancer formation. Lastly, the liver-inducing effect heavy alcohol usage has can also be a large contributor, as a noticeable change in texture of throat and esophageal tissue has been found in connection with cirrhosis of the liver.
Moderation
As with nearly all medical instances, we recommend moderation when it comes to alcohol consumption. While there is no clear evidence as to how directly alcohol impacts oral cancer rates (as typically alcohol abuse comes in conjunction with tobacco usage), the connection between alcohol abuse and cancer rates is noteworthy. By instead opting for moderation or cutting out alcohol altogether, it is expected that the risk for oral cancer should drop to normal levels within 10 years.
It is important to note that, regardless of your alcohol consumption, tobacco usage of any sort is the single largest cause of oral cancer in patients of all ages. Dentists agree that by removing tobacco altogether, your chances of ever contracting oral cancer fall dramatically.
Schedule Your Appointment
The best way to combat oral cancer is to visit your dentist for regular oral exams, tooth and gum cleanings, and receive oral cancer screenings. In addition to proper oral health maintenance at home, your dentist can help with direct assistance and guidance for your overall health. At Bitterroot Dental in Missoula, our dentist performs an oral cancer screening with each appointment; schedule yours!
