Dietary and mouth cancer awareness at the Royal Cornwall Hospital

Introduction.
We have all heard people saying things like ‘you are what you eat' and the literature is packed with evidence and information on how the nutritionally imbalanced diet can not only negatively affect the mouth but the whole body. For example, it has been shown that a high-quality diet can reduce the incidence and risk of mortality due to cardiovascular disease. Intra-orally fermentable carbohydrates contribute towards an increase of acid production by bacteria which can result in the demineralisation of the hard tissues, namely enamel and dentine. Acidic beverages can cause enamel erosion directly, without the presence of bacteria, and if these are consumed excessively over a period of time the impacts can be severe. Apart from the effect on hard tissue, a poor diet and the reduced intake of essential nutrients have a negative effect on mucosal integrity, which can contribute towards periodontal breakdown and potentially increase the risk of cancer.