Dr Hitesh R Singhavi, Head and Neck Surgeon
Oral cancer is one of the most common cancers in India. Every year, around 1.2 lakh people are diagnosed, and nearly 70,000 die because of it. We usually blame tobacco, gutkha, beedi, or alcohol—and rightly so. But there’s one hidden risk that often goes unnoticed: poor oral hygiene.
Yes, not brushing your teeth properly or ignoring your oral health for years can increase your chances of getting oral cancer, even if you don’t use tobacco or alcohol.
What Do We Mean by Poor Oral Hygiene?
- Not brushing teeth twice a day
- Never visiting a dentist
- Having bleeding gums, bad breath, or loose teeth
- Leaving dirty dentures or sharp teeth unchecked
- Ignoring ulcers or wounds in the mouth
Why Is Poor Oral Hygiene a Problem?
When the mouth is not cleaned properly, bacteria grow rapidly, causing gum disease and constant irritation. This leads to chronic inflammation, which damages the cells inside the mouth over time.
Inflammation is like a fire—if it keeps burning, it can slowly lead to changes in the mouth’s lining and eventually cancer. Scientists have even found harmful bacteria that promote cancer in people with poor oral hygiene.
What Indian Studies Say
Researchers from India and abroad have found that people with poor oral hygiene are 4 to 5 times more likely to develop oral cancer—even if they don’t smoke or chew tobacco.
One study from AIIMS Delhi showed that people with bad oral health had high levels of harmful inflammation in their saliva, which may act as a trigger for cancer.
Who Is at Risk in India?
Sadly, in India:
- 6 out of 10 people don’t brush twice a day
- 8 out of 10 have never visited a dentist
- Many people wear old, broken dentures or live with sharp teeth that cause mouth wounds
This is especially common in rural areas and low-income families, where access to dental care is poor and awareness is low.
The Bigger Picture
While tobacco is a major cause, poor oral hygiene adds fuel to the fire. And in many non-tobacco users who still get oral cancer, bad oral hygiene may be a hidden reason.
What Can We Do?
1. Brush twice a day with a proper toothbrush and paste
2. Visit a dentist once a year, even if you have no pain
3. Get sharp teeth, broken fillings, or ill-fitting dentures fixed
4. Don’t ignore mouth ulcers that don’t heal in 2 weeks
5. Spread awareness in your family and community
In Simple Words:
“Clean mouth, safe life. A toothbrush a day may keep cancer away.”
Oral cancer doesn’t happen overnight. It grows slowly in unhealthy mouths. The power to prevent it is literally in our hands—and our toothbrushes