Tobacco use is the most common cause of preventable death in the world. In Spain, 60,000 people died in 2020 due to smoking. On World No Tobacco Day, the General Council of Dentists of Spain recalls that smokers have a three times greater risk of suffering from oral cancer and seven times greater risk of suffering from pharyngeal cancer.

The figures in Spain are alarming: 22% of smokers smoke daily, consuming 2,500 cigarettes a year. According to data from the European Survey of Oral Health in Spain 2020 (INE), 5.8 million women smoke daily and in the case of men the figure rises to 7.9 million. By age, from 25 to 44 years old is the age group where there are more smokers.

Tobacco contains numerous carcinogens, including nitrosamines, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and heavy metals. Likewise, the formation of free radicals generates alterations in various oxidative enzymes involved in the carcinogenesis of oral cancer. In addition, it stains teeth, causes halitosis, causes periodontal disease, causes implant failure, decreases the perception of smells and tastes, delays the healing of wounds in the mouth, increases pain after extractions, predisposes to infection by fungi and alters the composition of saliva, among other things.

Tobacco and oral cancer

Tobacco and alcohol are the main risk agents for this pathology, being present in 75-90% of cases. Likewise, there is a close relationship between the dose and the time of consumption, that is, a greater number of cigarettes smoked for longer periods of time implies an increased risk of suffering from oral cancer.

Each year there are between 300,000 and 700,000 new cases of oral cancer in the world. Specifically, in Spain 8,000 cases of oral cancer are diagnosed each year.

The General Council of Dentists recommends following a series of habits to prevent oral cancer:

• Do not smoke and limit alcohol consumption.
• Follow a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, fish and olive oil.
• Maintain good oral hygiene.
• Perform oral self-examinations.
• Go to the dentist for regular check-ups or whenever an injury is detected.
• Practice safe sex.

The Collegiate Organization recalls that dentists have a fundamental role in reducing tobacco consumption: “In regular check-ups, the dentist will inform the patient about the habits and care necessary to quit smoking and maintain good oral health throughout life. ”, points out the president of the General Council of Dentists, Dr. Óscar Castro Reino.