Here is another reason to take good care of your teeth and regularly see a dentist- certain types of oral bacteria may contribute to different types of cancers. Researchers have found that certain bacteria in the mouth is linked to cancers of the breast, pancreas, esophagus and the bowels. This has long been suspected, and evidence is getting stronger. The oral bacteria linked to cancer is the type that exists due to poor oral hygiene, so brush and floss those teeth!
Key Takeaways:
- Researchers hope that once they figure out how oral bacteria cause cancer they will be able to tell a person’s cancer risk by examining their mouth.
- A potential avenue for cancer treatment and prevention might be to change the mix of bacteria present in the mouth.
- It’s been established that there is a link between poor oral health and various types of cancer.
“Researchers at the University of Buffalo in New York found that gum disease-causing bacteria may cause the onset of breast cancer. An analysis of 73,000 postmenopausal women revealed that women who had the gum disease had a 14 percent higher risk of developing breast cancer.”