Risk Factors for Mouth Cancer

Mouth cancer is a cancer that can affect anyone. With over 7,000 people diagnosed with the disease last year and this figure set to increase further over the coming years, it is very important you are aware of any factors that can increase your risk of developing the disease.

91% of all diagnoses are linked to lifestyle factors which means that by amending certain lifestyle choices it is possible to drastically reduce your risk of developing moth cancer. There are four main factors to consider, including:

o   Tobacco

We all know about the risks associated with tobacco and developing lung cancer, but not many people know it is also a major risk factor in developing mouth cancer. Each cigarette contains thousands of chemicals all of which enter the body through the mouth. Over time the saliva in your mouth is transformed by these chemicals, damaging cells and potentially turning them cancerous.

Smokers are three times more likely to develop mouth cancer than non-smokers and seven times more likely to be diagnosed with throat cancer. However, it is never too late to reduce your risk! Research has shown that by quitting smoking you can reduce your risk of developing mouth cancer by more than a third. So why not use this as the impetus you need to kick the cigarettes for good!

o   Alcohol

Drinking large quantities of alcohol on a regular basis is another major risk factor linked with mouth cancer – with links to around 30% of all mouth cancer diagnoses. The key to this is regularly drinking large quantities, an occasional glass of wine or night out is not a problem!

o   Tobacco and Alcohol

If you combine the two, your risks dramatically increase, by potentially as much as thirty times. If you smoke and drink it is especially important that you attend the dentist for routine appointments so that they can continually monitor the health of your mouth, teeth and gums.

o   The Human papillomavirus

Many experts believe that the Human papillomavirus (HPV), transmitted through oral sex, will overtake tobacco use as the main cause of mouth cancer within the next ten years. HPV is very common and almost every sexually active person will get HPV at some point in their lives. 90% of infections go away within two years, but sometimes the infection can persist causing several different problems, including:

• Abnormal tissue growth which can cause cancer
• Genital warts

In order to reduce your risk, you should practice safe sex. There is also now an HPV immunisation programme in place, with all 12 and 13-year-old girls routinely vaccinated.

o   Diet

50% off all mouth cancer cases are due in some part to a poor diet. It is important to ensure that you have a diet rich in fruit and vegetables to keep your body healthy. Certain food can help to reduce your mouth cancer risk – including vitamin C and calcium supplements, green tea and coffee.

If you would like more help and advice on how to reduce your risks of developing mouth cancer or are concerned about any changes in your mouth book an appointment online, or call West Wickham Dental Practice today on 0208 776 1188. If in doubt get it checked out!

Dental Sedation - All you need to know.

Does the thought of sitting in the dental chair make you nervous? You are not alone, in fact studies have shown that 36% of adult patients suffer with moderate dental anxiety and 12% of adults have a dental phobia. However, putting off routine appointments and dental treatment can mean that you need much more extensive and complex treatment when you do attend.

All our dental staff are gentle, caring and sensitive to your needs, always discussing your treatment options and engaging you in all stages of treatment planning.

Intravenous Sedation

If you are really concerned about treatment we are able to offer intravenous sedation at the practice. This is given by injection either in the back of your hand or in your arm. The dose will depend on the amount of treatment needed and how long it will take to complete.

You will become drowsy and will not be aware that you are having treatment, but will still be able to cooperate and do what the dentist asks of you. The effects of the medication may take some time to wear off and because of this you will be required to bring someone with you to your treatment appointment who will be able to look after you following treatment. You will be unable to drink alcohol, drive or work machinery until the sedative medicine has left your system.

Uses of Intravenous Sedation

IV sedation, can be used for almost all types of dental treatments ranging from routine hygiene to extensive complex dental treatment, please. Additionally, IV sedation also has the ability to offer varying degrees of retrograde amnesia. This prevents recollection of the dental treatment which for some patients enables them to visit the dentist for routine check-up without being nervous.

Prior to undergoing treatment the dentist will need to have full details of your medical history and any medication you are taking whether or not they are prescribed by the dentist. This is to ensure that you are suitable for the treatment. If you have a very complex medical history it may be necessary to refer you to a specialist service for treatment.

Benefits of Sedation

• It allows the patient to visit their dentist without any pre-visit nerves and allows the dentist to
  
  complete the course of treatment in fewer visits than they would normally be               able to do so.
•  Many kinds of dental treatments can use sedation, allowing patients with different  types of dental phobia to relax and not have  to suffer the usual apprehension which they experience when visiting the dentist
•  It is particularly useful for those who suffer from dental phobia. It is also useful for those who have extremely sensitive teeth and find co-operating with the dentist and receiving dental treatment, as it will take the pain away from their treatment allowing them to receive the health care they deserve without the stress and anxiety that may usually accompany it.
•  Patients that have conditions which make controlling their body movements difficult such as Parkinson’s disease and who have gag reflexes that make controlling their mouth stressful will also benefit from sedation and the physical and mental relaxation that it gives to the patient.
• The patient can experience a freedom from their past fear and apprehension of the dentist, allowing them to receive treatment with peace of mind, as well as receiving treatment that they have not been able to have for many years because of their dental phobia. Patients that do not normally suffer from dental phobia can still take benefit from sedation during some treatments, particularly treatments that are very painful.
• For the dentist sedation gives them complete control during treatment as patients are more likely to co-operate fully with their dentist, and it also reduces the amount of time and number of sessions that dentists require to carry out their treatments on patients, because more treatment can be administered in a single session.

Dr Anhaar Mohamedali has had extensive oral surgery experience working at Kings College Hospital, where she routinely performed oral surgery on patients under IV sedation safely and comfortably. At West Wickham Dental Practice, we have routinely used IV sedation to treat patients apprehensive of dental treatment to make them Smile Proud! Book an appointment online, or call us today on 0208 776 1188