Oral Sex Linked to the Rise of Oral Cancer
At Cosmetic Dentists of Houston, we take oral cancer very seriously. Dr. Amanda Canto offers free oral cancer screenings and lectures to Houston school kids about the link between HPV and oral cancer and the increased risk of transmission through oral sex.
Oral Cancer Linked to HPV
Recent studies are linking increased exposure to human papillomavirus (HPV, or genital warts) – a very common sexually transmitted virus – with increased risk of oral cancer. HPV can be transmitted from person to person through any type of genital-to-genital contact as well as oral sex.¹ Exposure to the HPV virus is known to increase risk of cervical cancer in women, and now we understand that it also dramatically increases your risk for oral cancer.
“Oral cancer is linked to the HPV virus and can be spread through oral sex. Young people need to know about this and protect themselves. Education and early detection are critical.”
~Dr. Canto
HPV and Oral Cancer: Get the Facts

Oral Cancer is on the Rise:
Today, oral cancer is one of the fastest growing cancers in the United States, especially in the younger population, where it is believed to be increasing via HPV exposure.
HPV is Very Common:
It is estimated that 75% of the population is affected by the human papillomavirus at some point in their lives. Most people do not know they have it, or have ever had it.
A History of HPV Increases Oral Cancer Risk:
Any prior infection with HPV-16 increases your risk for oral cancer by 9-fold, and a history of oral HPV increases risk for oral cancer 50-fold.¹