Characteristic % identified characteristic
as a risk factor for mouth cancer 		Chi-square test
P-valuea
Smoking Smoking is a risk factor 0.016
Current smoker 89.3
Used to smoke 84.9
Never smoker 84.4
Alcohol consumption Heavy alcohol consumption is a risk factor < 0.001
Every day 66.6
Once or twice a week 63.3
Less than once a week 56.3
Does not drink 52.1
Mouthwash use Mouthwash is a risk factor 0.085
Daily 1.7
Once every few days 1.8
Less than once a month 2.2
Never 3.5
Oral health Poor oral health is a risk factor 0.783
Excellent 61
Good 60.2
Fair 62.5
Poor 61
Dental check-up Poor oral health is a risk factor 0.033
Less than 1 year ago 62.1
1 - 2 years ago 63.3
3 - 4 years ago 61
5 - 10 years ago 55.8
Over 10 years ago 53.7
Number of teeth Poor oral health is a risk factor < 0.001
No natural teeth 51.7
< 10 56
10 - 19 62.6
20 or more 62.8

aLevel of statistical significance P < 0.05.