Educational Series: Oral Healthcare in the Prevention of Oral Cancer

In this review:

This article reviews evidence for an association between oral cancer and periodontitis and the oral plaque biofilm. The existence of such an association emphasizes the importance of patients maintaining their oral health and the role of oral healthcare professionals in managing periodontitis and the biofilm as well as the detection of early oral cancer. As an adjunct to mechanical interventions, mouthwash also has a role in controlling the oral biofilm. Confounding the beneficial role of mouthwash are concerns about a putative link between alcohol-containing mouthwash use and oral cancer and the current evidence regarding this association is also reviewed. Expert commentary from Professor Lakshman Samaranayake provides a clinical practice perspective on these issues.