Marco Island Dental Blog

More than 54,000 Americans are diagnosed with oral cavity and oropharyngeal cancers yearly, and over 11,500 die from the disease, according to the latest American Cancer Society (ACS) data. With a lifetime risk of developing oral cancer at about one in 60 for men and one in 141 for women, you’re much more likely to experience gum disease or other oral health concerns than oral cancer. Still, you do not want to risk becoming an American Cancer Society statistic.

If someone were to tell you that you have “fetor oris,” you’d probably react by saying, “What?” On the other hand, if someone tells you that you have “halitosis,” you’d probably understand what they are saying but perhaps not know how to respond to the somewhat embarrassing declaration. If you’re not familiar with either term, know that both refer to bad breath, which is certainly something that no one wants to have but that everyone experiences on occasion.

You might be surprised to learn that dental anxiety is more common than you might think, especially if you are one of the millions of Americans who avoid going to the dentist due to odontophobia. Even those apparently in need of the “Hollywood smile” can be averse to dentistry. Consider that Jennifer Aniston, Kristen Stewart, Whoopi Goldberg, Kate Beckinsale, Emma Watson, and other celebrities have publicly admitted that they fear dentists and have sometimes gone years without a dental appointment. Some further acknowledge that they must be sedated or take other medications to get them through their appointments.