Smoking and Alcohol Increase oropharyngeal cancer Mortality Risk, Especially with Tooth Loss: Study

A recent research published in the journal of Oral Oncology discovered that both smoking and alcohol consumption were linked to a higher risk of oropharyngeal cancer (OPC) mortality, with the risk being particularly elevated in individuals with fewer teeth.

The study drew on data from the Japan Gerontological Evaluation Study, by tracking 39,882 functionally independent adults aged 65 and older over a 12-year period from 2010 to 2022. Participants had an average age of 73.7 years at the start, and nearly half were men. Over the follow-up period, which averaged about 10 years, 0.2% of participants died from OPC.

This study analyzed how smoking, drinking, and the number of remaining teeth influenced mortality risk. Using a Cox proportional hazards model, they found that individuals who both smoked and drank alcohol had nearly 3-times the risk of dying from OPC when compared to those who did neither. The hazard ratio (HR) was 2.87, which indicated a significantly elevated risk.

The participants with fewer than 20 teeth faced almost double the risk of OPC mortality when compared to those with 20 or more teeth (HR: 1.96). Tooth loss is often considered an indicator of cumulative oral health problems, including gum disease and long-term neglect, which may contribute to broader health vulnerabilities.

Individuals who both smoked and drank alcohol and also had significant tooth loss (0–19 teeth) were at the highest risk. Their risk of OPC mortality was more than 5-times greater than those without these combined risk factors (HR: 5.02).

The relative excess risk due to interaction (RERI) was 2.97, suggesting that the combined effect of these factors is greater than the sum of their individual risks. In simpler terms, smoking, drinking, and poor oral health do not just add risk, but they amplify each other.

These findings highlight the importance of integrated health strategies for older adults. While smoking cessation and reduced alcohol consumption remain critical public health priorities, maintaining oral health may play a critical role in lowering cancer mortality risk.

Overall, the findings of this study revealed that dental care and lifestyle interventions should be more closely aligned, particularly for aging populations. Regular dental check-ups, early treatment of oral diseases, and public awareness campaigns could help reduce these risks.

Reference:

Kiuchi, S., Matsuyama, Y., Takeuchi, K., Kusama, T., Ojima, T., Saito, M., Kondo, K., Harada, H., Osaka, K., & Aida, J. (2026). Smoking, drinking, tooth loss and risk of oral-pharyngeal cancer mortality. Oral Oncology, 176(107937), 107937. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.oraloncology.2026.107937