Worsening climate change has been linked to an increased risk of mouth cancer and other dental diseases by a new study.
The study found that extreme weather events due to climate change negatively impacted oral health in a number of ways. During events such as hurricanes or floods, people are less likely to have access to dental care and may experience more dental trauma and injuries.
Greater levels of solar radiation during heatwaves were found to increase the burden of oral cancers. Contaminated water supplies were also found to contribute to development of dental infections, periodontitis and caries.
Extreme weather conditions may also affect supply chains and patient transport, further reducing access and increasing costs.
Several indirect impacts of climate change were also highlighted within the study. For example, it may cause socio-economic disruptions which exacerbate oral health health inequalities, disproportionately affecting vulnerable groups. Imbalances in food and diet due to extreme weather can also worsen oral health.
Negative effects on mental health were found to contribute to poorer oral hygiene habits and conditions such as bruxism which can lead to tooth wear.
How can the dental profession combat climate change?
The study made some suggestions for how the dental profession could mitigate the risks of climate change. For example, by making dental public health systems more resilient to ensure continuity of care after extreme weather events.
It also suggested how the profession could reduce its own impact on climate change. For example, increasing sustainable procurement and implementing a circular economy for reusing and recycling plastics.
The research authors called for more funding to be invested into researching the impacts of climate change on oral health and potential solutions. They said: ‘Continued research and policy attention are imperative to address the complex and evolving challenges posed by climate change to oral health.’
Published in the British Dental Journal, it was authored by researchers from the Division of Public Health Dentistry in New Delhi, India.
Risk factors for oral cancer
Several recent studies have explored other factors that can increase the incidence of mouth cancer. In March, a study was published linking high intake of sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) with increased risk of oral cavity cancer (OCC).
OCC risk was found to be 4.87 times higher in participants consuming one or more SSBs daily compared with less than one SSB monthly. This increases the rate of OCC by three people per 100,000 population over time.
The researchers said: ‘A stronger association was observed in non-smoking and light-smoking as well as non-drinking and light-drinking participants. The results from this study support both observation and mechanistic findings that suggest a local impact of dietary sugars in OCC, mirroring findings in other gastrointestinal site cancers.’
Another study found that disruptions to the oral microbiome were also linked to the development of mouth cancer. It found an association between the presence of Fusobacterium nucleatum bacteria and the development of oral cancer.
Researchers identified an interaction between the bacteria and host cells in the body that promotes tumour growth and progression. This contributes to the development oral squamous cell carcinoma.
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