Mouth cancer moves up the death league table

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London: Cancer of the mouth is on the increase as a result of poor oral hygiene, according to the latest statistics issued during Mouth Cancer Awareness Week.

More than 1700 people die of mouth cancer in the UK each year – obviously the figure worldwide is far larger.

Dentyl pH®, the mouthwash experts, are providing an education grant to support this year’s British Dental Health Foundation’s – Mouth Cancer Awareness Week – 11-17th November 2007. On average mouth cancer now kills one sufferer every five hours, making it one of the fastest growing cancers.

Commenting on the need to raise awareness among the public and professionals of this little-known disease, mouth cancer, Professor Robin Seymour of Newcastle Dental School and spokesperson for Dentyl pH said: “In the UK, more than 4,750 new cases of oral cancer are diagnosed and 1,700 patients die of this cancer every year. Tobacco smoking and excessive alcohol consumption are the main risk factors for the development of oral cancer. Frequently these two risk factors act together.”

“Oral cancer often arises as an ulcer in any part of the mouth, with the tongue and floor of mouth being the common sites. The ulcer is often painless, although it can bleed, but most importantly it does not show signs of healing over two to three weeks. Some oral cancers also develop in white or red patches. Such patches are termed precancerous lesions, and if present they should be closely monitored for any change in size or colour.”

In summary Professor Seymour notes: “Regular dental checkups and good dental care are important factors in recognising and preventing oral cancer. Dentists, hygienists and therapists are used to examining the mouth and associated structures, and hence can recognise any abnormality. All suspicious lesions should be referred for further investigations. Patients at high risk from oral cancer, such as heavy smokers and drinkers, should always be carefully examined for, and questioned about, any lesion that may be recognised as precancerous or potentially malignant.”

This is the first year that Dentyl pH has sponsored the annual Mouth Cancer Awareness Week campaign. Dentyl pH was created as an alcohol-free mouthwash by people who care about mouths; that is, by dentists themselves. As a result, it’s very appropriate that Dentyl pH should be part of a campaign that encourages people to be more aware of their dental health. Mouth cancer is avoidable and early detection can massively increase the chances of survival.

The Dentyl pH is a clinically proven, alcohol free mouthwash. Using groundbreaking technology, Dentyl pH works like no other mouthwash. This is because it is a two-phase mouthwash, which has to be shaken before use. This action causes the essential oils and the antibacterial water phases to mix, creating a special solution, which makes the ‘bad’ bacteria and food debris adhere to the mouthwash solution. As a result, when the mouthwash is expelled from the mouth, bacteria, debris and other dental deposits are all visible in the sink, proving that Dentyl pH really works.

Details of the Mouth Cancer Awareness campaign can be found online at www.mouthcancer.org

Mouth hygiene horror facts:

In the UK we still fail to take good care of our teeth and mouths. A recent Adult Dental Health Survey found that:

* only three-quarters of adults (75%) claim to brush their teeth twice a day as recommended

* the average time spent brushing teeth is 46 seconds, far short of the recommended two minutes

* only 2-10% of people floss regularly

* around half of British adults have plaque-related periodontal disease (gum disease)

* more than half of all teenagers and three out of four adults over the age of 35 suffer from gum disease.

Bacterial plaque plays an essential causative role in gum disease, yet it can be removed easily from the teeth by brushing the teeth for two minutes, twice a day, followed by rinsing with a proven mouthwash such as Dentyl pH. Flossing is recommended once a day between brushing and rinsing.