New Study Links Poor Oral Health to Cancer-Causing HPV Infection

Based on recent data by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, genital human papillomavirus (HPV) is the most common sexually transmitted infection in the U.S. Although most strains of HPV are generally not harmful to people,  we often inform our patients here at our Hudson Valley dental practice that certain strains of the virus can cause cancer of the head and neck areas. Some strains can also result to formation of warts in the mouth and throat. Recently, a new study has found an association between poor oral health to occurrence of oral HPV.

An Independent Risk Factor

The researchers of the aforementioned study identified poor oral health as an independent risk factor to oral HPV after coming up with the following results:

• subjects who reported that they have poor oral health had a 56 percent higher prevalence of acquiring oral HPV
• subjects who had existing gum problems had a 51 percent higher prevalence of acquiring oral HPV
• subjects who had other dental problems aside from gum problems had a 28 percent higher prevalence of acquiring oral HPV

Furthermore, the researchers also found out that other factors which increase one’s risk for oral HPV include oral sex habits, smoking, marijuana use, and being male.

Let us help you maintain optimum oral health and reduce your risk of obtaining oral HPV!

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