Chennai: According to Dr. Sonia Datta, MDS, PhD, Professor in Public Health Dentistry, oral health isn’t just about teeth and gums; and Good oral health is more than just having clean teeth—it’s a cornerstone of overall well-being. Dentists and physicians alike are identifying the mouth-body connection as important to preventive care. Optimal oral health supports systemic health, reducing risks for conditions like heart disease, diabetes, and even certain cancers; and is increasingly recognized as a modifiable risk factor in cancer prevention.
For people with low immune systems, maintaining oral hygiene is not merely about comfort. It directly affects quality of life. Simple habits like brushing twice a day with an Ayurvedic paste such as Dabur Red Paste, flossing, and using antibacterial mouthwash can significantly lower these risks by reducing bacterial load and keeping the mouth’s ecosystem balanced.
According to AIIMS (All India Institute of Medical Sciences) researchers, oral hygiene should be integrated into standard oncology care—not just for comfort, but to improve survival outcomes. Another evidence is the INHANCE (International Head and Neck Cancer Epidemiology) consortium, which found that good oral hygiene (annual dental visits, fewer missing teeth, daily brushing) modestly reduced the risk of head and neck cancers. Regular dental check-ups are very important; not just for maintaining healthy teeth but for detecting early warning signs of oral cancer. Dentists can identify suspicious lesions, persistent ulcers, or changes in tissue texture that might otherwise go unnoticed. Avoiding tobacco and limiting alcohol further decreases cancer risk. Together, these measures not only protect oral health but also serve as powerful tools in long-term cancer prevention strategies, especially in regions with high incidence rates of head and neck cancers.
