Lucy Devine
Warning: This article contains discussion of cancer which some readers may find distressing.
An expert has revealed how adding a three-minute task to your morning routine could help reduce your risk of a specific cancer.
Mouth cancer is a growth of cells that begins in the mouth. It can occur on the lips, gums, tongue, the inner lining of the cheeks or the roof/floor of the mouth.
As per Mayo Clinic, it is considered to be a head and neck cancer and can cause a number of different symptoms.
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These include: a sore that won't heal; a white or red patch on the inside of the mouth; loose teeth; a growth or lump; mouth pain; ear pain and difficult or painful swallowing.
Now, one dentist has revealed the simple, three-minute task that could help reduce the risk of mouth cancer.
Miranda Pascucci, Dental Therapist and Head of Clinical Education at TePe, explained that flossing can reduce plaque accumulation which in turn could decrease the chance of getting mouth cancer.
She said: "If you brush your teeth with a toothbrush alone, you’re only cleaning about 60 percent of your tooth surfaces - the rest is hiding where your toothbrush can’t reach - between your teeth.
"Most dental disease starts between your teeth where food and plaque accumulate. Plaque build-up doesn’t just lead to tooth decay and gum disease - the bacteria and inflammation it causes can also increase your risk of mouth infections and, in some cases, mouth cancer. Keeping your mouth clean and healthy helps lower that risk."
Miranda recommends flossing at least once a day, adding: "Brushing alone only cleans 60 percent of your tooth's surface. A healthy oral cleaning routine includes brushing your teeth twice a day using a fluoride toothpaste and cleaning the remaining 40 percent of your tooth - the gaps in your teeth - at least once a day with a TePe Interdental Brush."
Experts at Delta Dental of Arkansas have explained the 'link' between mouth cancer and flossing.
While there's not a direct correlation, studies have found that poor oral health can be linked to the cancer.
They explain: "Flossing is indirectly associated with a reduced risk of oral cancer rather than a clear cause-and-effect relationship.
"It’s not as simple as saying, 'If you floss, you won’t get oral cancer,' or 'If you don’t floss, you will get oral cancer'; neither statement is accurate.
"However, researchers discovered that poor oral health and hygiene promoted chronic inflammation and the development of certain types of oral cancers."
If you’ve been affected by any of these issues and want to speak to someone in confidence, contact the American Cancer Society on 1-800-227-2345 or via their live chat feature, available 24/7 every day of the year.