Mouthwash and Poor Dental Hygiene may Increase Risk of Oral Cancer

For those of us who pay too little attention to their dental hygiene, a recent study shows that compensating with mouth wash may do more harm than good.

According to researchers from the Leibniz Institute for Prevention Research and Epidemiology with help from Glasgow University's Dental School, they note that every year, close to 40,000 Americans are diagnosed with a form of oral cancer, with close to 8,000 resulting in death. Worldwide, 640,000 people will be diagnosed with oral cancer, ranging from cancers on the tongue, the floor of the mouth, on the gums or even in the cheeks, according to NPR.

For drinkers and smokers, the risk for oral cancers are much higher.

"The most common cancer in young men in countries like India and Pakistan is oral cancer, attributed to chewing betel nut or 'paan'," said Bhuvanesh Singh, a neck and head cancer surgeon from the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, via newsonwellness.com. "It is a global epidemic."

Whether you're practicing good oral hygiene or not, and especially for those who smoke and/or drink often, it's important to know the signs and symptoms of oral cancer. Take a look at the following points, courtesy of the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research's website to see if you're at risk. Regular dental cleanings and checkups are also important for overall health.

More information regarding the findings can be seen via the journal Oral Oncology.