Oral Health Is Linked to Cancer Survival

A recent study highlights a link between oral health and survival rates in individuals with head and neck cancer. The study of 2,500 patients emphasized that better oral health, determined by factors including natural teeth count and dental visit frequency before diagnosis, corresponded to improved survival rates. Patients with regular dental visits exhibited higher 5-year and 10-year survival rates, compared to those with no dental visits. This association was particularly pronounced in oropharyngeal cancer cases. The research was published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute.

From Decisions of Dentistry. October 2023; 9(9):7