There are many good reasons to practice good oral hygiene that go well beyond tooth decay or gum disease. Some of these may be more unexpected than others. According to research done by a team at the Harvard School of Public Health in Boston, there is reason to believe that there could be a link between bad oral health and pancreatic cancer.
This study found that a form of gum disease known as periodontitis may increase your chances of getting pancreatic cancer. Periodontitis is characteristic of an inflammation that affects the tissues supporting your teeth and can cause a loss of bone around the roots. The other common variety of gum disease, gingivitis, has not shown any signs of an increased cancer risk, though it can lead to periodontitis if left unchecked.
It remains unclear whether periodontitis leads to pancreatic cancer, or if pancreatic cancer increases your risk of periodontitis. One way or another, though, it’s a good reason to look after the health of your teeth. Consult our Lynnwood dentistry clinic for a regular check-up.
