With your hectic schedules and so much to do, you find yourself sacking off about your oral hygiene. Well, that needs to change. Taking care of your teeth does so much more than prevent gum diseases and tooth decay. Remember, the mouth is an entryway to the rest of the body. Therefore, any bacteria found in your mouth can find its way to your bloodstream. One of the severe health problems resulting from poor oral hygiene is cancer. Research indicates that people who do not practice dental hygiene are at a high risk of contracting oral, throat, and pancreatic cancer. Read on to understand the link between oral health and cancer.
The Link between Oral Hygiene and Pancreatic Cancer
Slacking off on your dental care often leads to various gum diseases. If gum inflammation goes untreated, it develops into periodontitis. Periodontal diseases often lead to loss of teeth, but it can also affect other body organs. While everyone is at risk of gum diseases, smoking and excessive consumption of alcohol are significant risk factors.
Pancreatic cancer is a condition that occurs due to the development of abnormal cells in the pancreas. We all know the pancreas is responsible for regulating the blood sugar level using insulin. It also helps in digestion by producing digestive enzymes. Research indicates that most pancreatic cancer cases stem from the exocrine gland, which is responsible for digestive enzymes. Pancreatic cancer is very dangerous as it often goes undetected due to lack of distinguishing symptoms. Besides, the symptoms usually mimic other illness, and the doctors may overlook the organ since it is well hidden.
Through the study of the link between oral hygiene and cancer, researchers identified that periodontal diseases increase the chances of pancreatic cancer by 65%. Periodontal infections cause the development of cells with cytokine and prostaglandins enzymes. When these enzymes migrate to other organs, they enhance the development of cancerous cells. Moreover, the inflammation due to periodontal diseases encourages inflammation throughout the body, which promotes the growth of abnormal cells.
Oral Cancer
Body cells are supposed to grow and die after multiplication. However, cancerous cells do not die. Instead, they spread and attack healthy cells. Oral cancers can be found in the mouth, lips, and the tongue. In some cases, the cancerous cells spread to the throat.
Individuals with poor dental hygiene are at a high risk of getting an oral tumour. Another significant risk factor is smoking and chewing of tobacco products. If your teeth and gums are in poor condition, your mouth is prone to an oral virus, which escalates the development of cancer cells. Studies indicate that when human papillomavirus invades your mouth, you are susceptible to throat cancer. We recommend recommends regular dental check-ups at registered dental clinics such as Pure Dentistry, to ensure any mouth infections are treated.
With the rise of cancer cases, dental hygiene should be given a priority. If it has always been an afterthought, it is time to pay attention to your teeth and gums. Cleaning your white pearls twice a day with fluoride products keeps your mouth clean and healthy.