Ultra-processed food (UPF), otherwise known as ‘junk food’, is affordable and accessible but offers a low nutritional value with high saturated fat, sugar, and salt content.
In the UK, 57 per cent of adults’ daily intake is derived from UPF, even higher in adolescents (66 per cent). While processed food in itself is not a bad thing, with some processes making food safer and increasing shelf life, ultra-processing is associated with health issues from over-consumption. These well-established risks include heart disease, obesity, and type 2 diabetes.
Impact on oral health
UPF is often sugary or starchy, which can negatively impact patients’ oral health. When consumed regularly and in excess, sugary snacks and drinks can lead to oral diseases such as caries and gingivitis. Research suggests that higher UPF consumption is associated with increased rates of caries in children and adolescents, highlighting the need for improved diets and oral hygiene education to protect long-term oral health.
Risk of oral cancer
Researchers at the University of Bristol analysed the diet and lifestyle data of 450,111 adults over 14 years. They found that eating more UPF may be associated with a higher risk of developing cancer in the mouth, throat, and oesophagus. One study identified the association between UPF consumption and cancer, concluding that replacing processed and ultra-processed foods and drinks with minimally processed foods might reduce the risk of various cancers.
Results from the study showed that eating 10 per cent more UPF is associated with a 23 per cent higher risk of head and neck cancer and a 24 per cent higher risk of oesophageal cancer. Researchers suggested the reasons behind this association. These included the additives found in UPF, such as emulsifiers and artificial sweeteners, which are associated with an increased risk of disease, as well as contaminants from the food packaging and manufacturing processes. Each of these could, in part, explain the correlation found in their study.
The authors also commented that while there is a clear association between UPF and adverse health, it is unclear whether they are the direct cause. They suggested that other factors, such as general health-related issues and socioeconomic position, might play a role too. This being said, this research does indicate a link between UPF and oral cancer, and the World Cancer Research Fund International recommends limiting the consumption of processed foods which are high in fat, starch, or sugar for a healthy lifestyle.
Monitoring for oral cancer
While changing patients’ behaviour is always going to be a challenge, it’s important to make them aware of the risks of their behaviour, whether that’s smoking, drinking, or their diet, and offer them helpful advice. Many patients may be unaware that the food they eat is linked to various cancers and might not even know they are at risk. As such, it’s important to monitor every patient closely for the early signs of oral cancer to pick it up early and improve survival rates.
Currently, an estimated 70 per cent of oral cancers are detected in advanced stages where survival rates are around 50 per cent. However, when diagnosed in stages I and II, survival rates rise to 90 per cent. As such, advising patients to check their mouths for anything unusual and attend regular dental check-ups means that lesions can be identified and treated as quickly as possible.
Consistent monitoring
Using a pre-diagnostic chairside test when you spot an unusual lesion can be incredibly helpful for detecting oral cancer early and offering you and your patient peace of mind. The early signs of cancer can be indistinguishable from other conditions, such as mouth ulcers, so it’s important to be vigilant and perform the appropriate tests at the right time.
The BeVigilant OraFusion System from Vigilant Biosciences is a quick and easy pre-diagnostic test which is designed to be used at the point of care using saliva. If a dentist spots a lesion which they think is suspicious, the BeVigilant Orafusion System can be used to identify the presence of biomarkers associated with oral cancer, producing a result in 15 minutes or less. This is ideal for clinicians who would like to feel more confident when referring patients and assessing for oral cancer.
Whether you have identified an abnormal lesion or not, it is important that dental professionals continue to promote a healthy lifestyle to their patients. Recommending patients have a balanced diet, low in free sugars and UPF is helpful for reducing their risk of oral cancer. Most importantly, clinicians should recommend that their patients attend dental appointments regularly to help ensure that nothing is missed for the best chances for their long-term health.