Gum Disease (Periodontitis) and Cancer

The link between periodontitis and cardiovascular disease is well-recognized, while a possible link with dementia was proposed last year. Another possible association between gum disease and cancer at various body sites was suggested some months ago, and this has now received confirmation in a study reported in the journal Lancet Oncology.

In the Health Professionals Follow-Up Study male health professionals answered questionnaires on their health every 2 years and on their diets every 4 years. The health of their teeth was included, as well as the occurrence of any new cancer.

More than 48,000 men supplied data over a 17½ -year period. There was a small but significant increase in the overall risk of cancer (+14%), which was also seen in the non-smoking participants. The five most common cancers were colorectal, melanoma, lung, bladder, and prostate. The greatest links with gum disease were for cancers of the lung, kidney, pancreas, and blood (non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, leukemia, and multiple myeloma).

Once again (but now with increased enthusiasm) I urge the practice of regular brushing, flossing, and rinsing with Listerine® (or an equivalent mouthwash).

P.S. There’s some good news in this area. First, red wine may offer some protection against periodontitis. Second, statin drugs have been shown by Finnish researchers to decrease the level of gum disease in affected individuals by 43%. Presumably this will also be associated with a similar reduction in the increased risk of coronary disease, stroke, dementia, and cancer . . .