Oral and Overall Health: What We Are Telling Our Customers

Although they are three very different diseases, tooth decay, periodontal disease and oral cancer have one important thing in common: there are things patients can do to help reduce their risk of getting them.

Tooth Decay¹

What it is

Tooth decay is damage to a tooth’s surface, or enamel. It can lead to cavities, which are holes in your teeth.
If tooth decay isn’t treated, it can cause sensitivity, pain and infections, and it can even cause people to lose their teeth.

How patients can help prevent it

• Drinkwater with fluoride
  • Brush with fluoride toothpaste twice a day
  • Floss every day
  • Avoid sugary foods
  • Limit snacks between meals
  • Visit your dentist regularly

Periodontal Disease³

What it is

Commonly known as gum disease, periodontal disease is caused by bacteria in plaque building up inside your mouth. If it continues to grow, this bacteria can cause your gums to swell, which can lead to gum recession, pain, loose teeth, bad breath or even tooth loss.

Oral Cancer⁴

What it is

Also called mouth cancer, oral cancer is cancer that occurs anywhere on the lips or inside of the mouth or throat. Oral cancer forms when cells change or their DNA mutates. It’s not clear what causes these mutations to occur, but certain factors have been identified that increase your risk, such as tobacco use, heavy alcohol use, excessive sun exposure to your lips, human papillomavirus (HPV) and a weakened immune system. 

How patients can help prevent these oral diseases

• Drink water with fluoride
• Brush your teeth twice a day for two minutes with fluoride toothpaste
• Floss and use mouthwash every day to remove any particles brushing might miss
• Avoid sugary foods
• Limit snacks between meals
• Visit the dentist
• Eat a balanced diet
• Don’t use tobacco of any kind, and limit alcohol consumption
• Avoid excessive sun exposure to your lips
• Talk to the dentist and be honest so they can assess risks based on age and family history
• See a periodontist for gum disease, if recommended by the dentist

1. Rosemann, Caitlin. “Cavities: What are they and how do we prevent them?”American Dental Association: Mouth Healthy. https://www.mouthhealthy.org/en/dental-care-concerns/how-do- we-prevent-cavities

2. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). (2019). “Oral Health Surveillance Report: Trends in Dental Caries and Sealants, Tooth Retention, and Edentulism, United States, 1999–2004 to 2011–2016.”CDC, US Department of Health and Human Services. https://www.cdc.gov/oralhealth/publications/OHSR-2019-index.html

3. American Academy of Periodontology. “Gum Disease Information.”https://www.perio.org/for-patients/gum-disease-information/

4. Prevent Cancer Foundation.“Oral cancer.”https://www.preventcancer.org/education/preventable-cancers/oral-cancer/; Mayo Clinic. “Mouth cancer.”https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases- conditions/mouth-cancer/symptoms-causes/syc-20350997

5. Cancer Treatment Centers of America. (2021, October 1). “Risk factors for oral cancer.”https://www.cancercenter.com/cancer-types/oral-cancer/risk-factors

6. This document is provided by Cigna solely for informational purposes to promote customer health. It does not constitute medical advice and is not intended to be a substitute for proper dental