Many people do not realize that having gum disease doesn’t only put you at risk of tooth loss and infection. In fact, research indicates that having gum disease puts you at risk of systemic diseases as well! This mouth-body connection is often lost among patients, which is why we’re taking action.
To promote Breast Cancer Awareness Month this October, we’re wearing our pink shirts every Wednesday! You can get your own by stopping by for an appointment. We’re also going to talk about why having gum disease is nothing to scoff at in this blog post. Keep reading to learn more!
How Gum Disease Leads to Cancer
Most people know that gum disease is characterized by inflammation around the tissue surrounding the base of the teeth or the gums themselves. In more advanced stages, like periodontitis, bacteria starts attacking the bone supporting teeth, known as alveolar bone. According to collaborative research from individuals at the University of Helsinki and the Helsinki University Hospital in Finland, the same bacteria that is to blame for gum disease may also be responsible for the development of certain cancers.
Treponema denticola, the bacterium responsible for periodontitis, is also found in some gastrointestinal cancers and pancreatic cancer. Specifically, they share an enzyme known as Treponema denticola chymotrypsin-like proteinase, or Td-CTLP.
This enzyme is typically found in the mouth and responsible for accelerating the development of gum disease. Td-CTLP is also responsible for activating other enzymes that cancer cells can use as a way to transport to other healthy cells. Essentially, Td-CTLP allows cancer-friendly enzymes to work more effectively.
Woman Are Particularly At-Risk
As if that wasn’t enough to get your gum disease treated, woman have a unique reason to seek it, especially if they’re older. Research published in the medical journal Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention notes that woman with gum disease face an increased risk of postmenopausal breast cancer, particularly among smokers who have quit in the past 20 years.
With that being said, mature women have also shown to have an increased risk of esophageal, gallbladder, skin and lung cancer. According to the Women’s Health Initiative Observational Study of approximately 66,000 female participants aged 54 to 86, women who had reported a diagnosis of periodontal disease had a 14 percent higher risk of developing any type of cancer.
When It’s Time To Seek Treatment
If you aren’t sure what the early signs of gum disease are, you’re not alone. Most people don’t realize they have some form of the disease until a dentist tells them about it. This is particularly common among older patients; the Center for Disease Control and Prevention notes that gum disease affects 70 percent of people aged 65 and older in the United States alone.
When determining if you have the early signs of gum disease, look for:
- Red, swollen or tender gums
- Bad breath that doesn’t go away
- Gums that bleed after brushing
Don’t let the silent killer live up to its name. Schedule an appointment today and get your gum disease treated!
About the Author
Dr. Callie Krajicek works hard to help her patients catch and treat the early signs of gum disease before it can cause permanent damage. She also performs oral cancer screenings as a precautionary measure; the earlier its discovered, the easier it is to treat. To learn more about her practice, you can contact her through her website, by calling (402) 420-2222, or Click to Schedule for easy, 24-7, online appointment scheduling.