One of the benefits of visiting your dentist every six months for your preventive checkups and cleanings is that these visits include an oral cancer screening. In fact, each year, about 54,000 new cases of this life-threatening disease are diagnosed, many of them because of warning signs spotted by a diligent dentist. Although not all cases of oral cancer are preventable, there are many things you can do to reduce your risk of developing it, including keeping your dentures in good condition, especially if you drink alcohol and use tobacco products. Here’s why.
The Dangers of Ill-Fitting Dentures
Although it may seem like nothing more than a nuisance, wearing improperly fitting dentures could cause more harm than you realize. In addition to the embarrassment of them shifting, clicking, or falling out when you’re eating or speaking, ill-fitting prosthetics can cause painful denture sores, soft tissue irritation, and can even trap particles in the mouth that could cause more serious illnesses such as oral cancer.
How Alcohol and Tobacco Increase Oral Cancer Risk
Although an occasional alcoholic beverage won’t do much harm, if you drink regularly, heavily, or use tobacco products like cigarettes, pipes, cigars, chewing tobacco, dabs, or vape fluid, your risk of oral cancer will increase. Worse yet, if you consume alcohol and tobacco together, your odds are even higher!
How to Reduce Your Risk of Oral Cancer with Dentures
If you use tobacco products, the number one way to prevent oral cancer is to quit. Even if you’ve done so for many years, stopping can help dramatically decrease your risk and protect your oral and overall health. Furthermore, reducing your alcohol consumption may also help, as well as using and caring for your dentures properly by following these guidelines:
- Always remove your dentures completely to clean them after every meal. Brush all sides with an unscented soap or denture cleanser, and floss between each tooth.
- Remove your dentures overnight and leave them soaking in a glass of water or denture solution.
- If your dentures begin to feel uncomfortable, stop fitting properly, or shift or click when you use them, visit your dentist as soon as possible to have them repaired or replaced.
- Never wear dentures that have become damaged; instead, call your emergency dentist as soon as possible.
- Visit your dentist every six months for your regular, preventive checkups and cleanings to ensure your dentures and mouth are in good health.
Remember, while it is not always possible to prevent oral cancer from developing, if you wear dentures, drink alcohol, and/or use tobacco products, it’s important to understand your increased risks and act accordingly. If you have any questions or concerns about your diet, habits, or dentures, don’t hesitate to contact your dentist today.
About Our Practice
At Darby Creek Dental, our trio of talented and caring dentists want you to live a long, healthy life! If you wear dentures, it’s important to pay close attention to your oral health, including visiting us every six months for your regular preventive exams and cleanings. At these visits, we’ll check your oral tissues for signs of cancer and other issues, as well as examine your dentures for any signs of damage or wear. Then, we’ll polish them up for you, so your smile looks as good as new! To schedule an appointment for dentures or for any other question or concern, visit our website or call 937-644-8822.