4th February marks World Cancer Day and we cannot imagine a more fitting occasion to highlight the importance of our dental and oral hygiene on our general health.
Your oral health is so much more than just about the health of your gums and teeth. In fact, your mouth speaks volumes about your body’s health. It can, for example, reveal cavities (tooth decay) and signs of periodontal (gum) disease. It can also point to lack of nutrients in your diet as well as unhealthy habits such as smocking or alcohol consumption. To a large extent, how good our oral hygiene habits are can determine how likely we are to develop not only dental diseases but other health problems as well such as heart disease, diabetes and cancer.
Oral cancer can be detected in the mouth, tongue, lips, cheek, palate or floor of the mouth. A dentist is usually the first person to recognise signs of oral cancer, so it’s of paramount importance that you schedule regular check-ups. Equally important is to practise good oral hygiene to help keep your teeth clean and free of pain and ensure your gums do not bleed when you brush or floss.

The best ways to prevent oral health problems are to:

• Brush your teeth at least twice per day for two minutes at a time
• Floss daily
• Minimise consumption of sugary snacks and drinks
• Avoid smoking
• Adopt a balanced diet rich in vitamins and nutrients and low on sugar
• Visit your dentist regularly for dental check-ups during which an oral cancer screening will take place.