Although not talked about much, oral cancer is a significant killer of Americans.  This year alone in the United States nearly 37,000 people will be diagnosed with some form of oral or head and neck cancer. This disease will cause more than 8000 deaths this year, statistically that is one death per hour, 24 hours per day, every day of the year.  It used to be thought that oral cancer was a disease of the older population, with the big  risk factors being smoking, using smokeless tobacco, alcohol abuse, or poor oral hygiene and oral care. These  behaviors are still significant in greatly increasing your risk for oral cancer.

But a new risk factor has been discovered. We are starting to see an increase in oral cancer in a younger population that does not practice any of the risk factors earlier discussed.  It has now been discovered that those testing positive for the Human Papilloma Virus  in the oral cavity have a signigcantly higher risk of developing oral cancer. It has been known for years that HPV  increases the risk for cervical cancer in women.  It is now thought that the spread of HPV though oral sex is contributing to the rise of oral cancer in men.

Besides abstaining from the behavior that raises your risk for oral cancer the best defense against the disfiguring, debilitating  or fatal consequences of oral cancer is early detection.  A thorough oral, and head and neck exam for any sign of cancer should be a part of your examination at your dental office.  Be sure your dentist gives you a thorough going over at your cleaning and exam appointment.