People with gum disease may also be at an increased risk of developing some kinds of cancer, according to recently published research.
Scientists from Imperial College London discovered that male health professionals with a history of gum disease were at 14 percent higher overall risk of developing cancer than those with healthy gums.
Lead researcher, Dr Dominique Michaud, said in Lancet Oncology: "After controlling for smoking and other risk factors, periodontal disease was significantly associated with an increased risk of lung, kidney, pancreatic and hematological (blood) cancers."
Gum or periodontal disease is an infection of the tissues surrounding and supporting the teeth. Prior studies have suggested people with periodontal disease are more likely to develop heart disease and diabetes.
The investigation used data collected from almost 50,000 men aged between 40 and 75. The oral health of the men was monitored by the regular completion of medical questionnaires over a 17-year period.
More than 5,700 of the men developed cancer, excluding cases of non-melanoma skin cancers and non-aggressive prostate cancer. The researchers found that men with gum disease had 14 percent higher cancer risk compared to those who did not.
The risks were higher depending on the type of cancer.
Of the men studied those with history of gum disease had a 36 percent higher risk of lung cancer, a 49 percent higher risk of kidney cancer, a 54 percent higher risk of pancreatic cancer and a 30 percent higher risk of having a blood cancer compared to men who did not have a history of gum disease.
In those who never smoked, gum disease was linked with a 21 percent increase in overall cancer risk and a 35 percent higher risk of blood cancers. They found no association for lung cancer in this group.
"The increased risks noted for hematological, kidney, and pancreatic cancers need confirmation but suggest that gum disease might be a marker of a susceptible immune system or might directly affect cancer risk," Dr Michaud said in a statement.
The researchers concluded by saying it was too early to suggest that good oral hygiene can have any effect at preventing cancer but said periodontal disease should be treated nevertheless.
Scientists from Imperial College London discovered that male health professionals with a history of gum disease were at 14 percent higher overall risk of developing cancer than those with healthy gums.
Lead researcher, Dr Dominique Michaud, said in Lancet Oncology: "After controlling for smoking and other risk factors, periodontal disease was significantly associated with an increased risk of lung, kidney, pancreatic and hematological (blood) cancers."
Gum or periodontal disease is an infection of the tissues surrounding and supporting the teeth. Prior studies have suggested people with periodontal disease are more likely to develop heart disease and diabetes.
The investigation used data collected from almost 50,000 men aged between 40 and 75. The oral health of the men was monitored by the regular completion of medical questionnaires over a 17-year period.
More than 5,700 of the men developed cancer, excluding cases of non-melanoma skin cancers and non-aggressive prostate cancer. The researchers found that men with gum disease had 14 percent higher cancer risk compared to those who did not.
The risks were higher depending on the type of cancer.
Of the men studied those with history of gum disease had a 36 percent higher risk of lung cancer, a 49 percent higher risk of kidney cancer, a 54 percent higher risk of pancreatic cancer and a 30 percent higher risk of having a blood cancer compared to men who did not have a history of gum disease.
In those who never smoked, gum disease was linked with a 21 percent increase in overall cancer risk and a 35 percent higher risk of blood cancers. They found no association for lung cancer in this group.
"The increased risks noted for hematological, kidney, and pancreatic cancers need confirmation but suggest that gum disease might be a marker of a susceptible immune system or might directly affect cancer risk," Dr Michaud said in a statement.
The researchers concluded by saying it was too early to suggest that good oral hygiene can have any effect at preventing cancer but said periodontal disease should be treated nevertheless.
