It’s the kind of study that makes coffee- and tea-drinkers rejoice: According to research published earlier this year in the journal Cancer, your habit may help lower your risk of oral cancer.
Analyzing data from 14 past studies, the research team found that those who drank more than 4 cups of caffeinated coffee a day had a 30% lower risk of mouth cancer compared to non-coffee-drinkers – and a 17% lower risk of head and neck cancer overall. Drinking 3 to 4 cups was associated with a 41% lower risk for hypopharyngeal cancer (at the bottom of the throat). Even decaf showed some benefit: a 25% lower risk of oral cancer.
Drinking tea appeared to be helpful, too, lowering the risk of hypopharyngeal cancer by 29%. Having a cup or less daily was associated with a 9% lower risk of head and neck cancer overall. Unfortunately, though, drinking more than a cup a day was associated with a 38% higher risk of laryngeal (throat) cancer.
As senior author Dr. Yuan-Chin Amy Lee noted, “Coffee and tea habits are fairly complex, and these findings support the need for more data and further studies around the impact that coffee and tea can have on reducing cancer risk.”
Other Potential Oral Health Benefits of Coffee & Tea
While coffee and tea do have the downside of staining your teeth, science suggests that they may support good oral health in other ways, as well – at least when consumed without added sugars and dairy.
Black coffee, for instance, contains compounds that may help inhibit decay-causing bacteria. Some studies also suggest that moderate coffee consumption may lower your risk of gum disease – thank you, antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds!
Other research has shown that regular green tea drinkers have a lower risk of gum disease and decay, too. The antioxidants in green tea – catechins, especially – help reduce inflammation and limit the growth of harmful bacteria. Tea may also help improve the diversity of the oral microbiome, which has been linked to better oral health.
However, it’s important to be aware that tea can also expose you to fluoride, thanks to the tendency of tea plants to draw it up from the soil. The amount of fluoride depends on the type of tea, as well as how it’s brewed and the water used. White teas generally contain less fluoride than green and black teas, since they’re made from younger tea leaves.
For more info about this and more tips on minimizing fluoride exposure through tea, we recommend the Truth About Fluoride website, which includes a search tool you can use to find out the fluoride content of hundreds of brand-name tea varieties.
As for any staining concerns, a simple rinse with water after you’ve enjoyed your cup can help minimize the risks of that.
Staying Vigilant About Oral Cancer
While findings like those of the Cancer study are encouraging, they are, of course, just one piece of the prevention puzzle. Staying alert to any signs of potential cancer in the mouth is vital, too.
That’s why regular oral cancer screenings are a part of the preventive care we provide. In addition to the usual visual exam and palpation (lightly touching cancer-prone areas), we use a technology called VELscope to detect abnormal tissue that we might not be able to see otherwise. This non-invasive screening takes just minutes but can make a very big difference in catching issues before they can progress.
We also encourage regular self-exams at home. Here’s how to do them. If you find anything concerning, schedule a visit with us. We’d rather investigate something that turns out to be nothing than risk missing something important.
Other things you can do to limit your risk include
- Avoiding all forms of tobacco.
- Limiting alcohol consumption.
- Using lip balm with SPF protection.
- Practicing safe sex (to minimize HPV transmission).
- Eating a nutrient-dense diet rich in antioxidants.
- Maintaining good oral hygiene.
Prevention, as they say, is the best medicine.
