Periodontist Discusses Research on Oral HPV Infections

A new study finds that HPV-related oral cancers are three times more common in men than in women. Dr. Alex Farnoosh, a Los Angeles periodontist, sees these results as yet another reason that overall oral health is important.

Beverly Hills, California (May 2012) – Dr. Alex Farnoosh, a Los Angeles area periodontist, is urging men to have regular dental checkups in light of a new study published in The Journal of the American Medical Association that found oral human papillomavirus (HPV) to be three times more common in men than in women.

Conducted by the Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center, this study serves as an important tool to raise awareness about oral HPV and will be helpful in the development of methods to detect the infection as early as possible. As cancer research becomes more advanced, health professionals in every field are coming together to examine and combat such infections.

Dental professionals such as Beverly Hills periodontist Dr. Farnoosh are at the frontlines in the war against HPV-related oral cancers. “While I strive to give my patients the smile of their dreams, their overall oral health is my number one priority,” says Dr. Farnoosh. “I am committed to research and development in this field so that I can ensure the overall wellness of my patients.”

These key findings stress the importance of regular dental checkups. Earlier studies have shown that women are more likely than men to floss daily and visit their dentists often. These behaviors are essential to ensuring oral health and ultimately keep the risk of oral HPV cancers low.

This study was conducted as part of a 2009-to-2010 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. By analyzing HPV DNA mouth rinse samples collected from 5,579 men and women, researchers sought to examine the prevalence of this infection in the United States with regard to oropharyngeal cancer.

Dr. Farnoosh comments, “Currently, cervical cancer is the most common type of HPV-caused cancer in the U.S., but oropharyngeal cancer is on track to become the leading HPV-related cancer if we do not take major strides in developing strategies to detect and fight this early on.”

The study is important in that it found that 10.1 % of men examined had oral HPV, a much higher number compared to the 3.6% of women that were found to also have oral HPV. At the time of this study, researchers estimate that about 14.9 million people in the United States are infected with oral HPV, which is about 7% of Americans between the ages of 14 and 69.

As the numbers rise, studies like this are essential to developing techniques and procedures for early detection. While many people may know about HPV-related cervical cancers, many people are still very much unaware of the oral HPV threat. The number will only rise if people do not take a more active approach to oral health.

“Healthy teeth and gums are more than being cavity-free; it is about frequent check-ups to ward off problems before they even begin,” Dr. Farnoosh says. “The study shows that men need to be more concerned and proactive about their oral health.”

As a leading periodontist in Beverly Hills, Dr. Alex Farnoosh is internationally sought out for his advancements in specialized cosmetic procedures. Developing a revolutionary lip lowering treatment to fix gummy smiles, Dr. Farnoosh is committed to the latest and most advanced procedures in inpatient care.

Find out how Dr. Farnoosh provides excellent gum treatment as part of his patients’ smile makeovers when you schedule an appointment online or call (310) 928-1796 to set up a consultation.
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