Poor Oral Hygiene Linked to Increased Cancer Risk

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Scientists have suggested that poor oral hygiene could increase the risk of cancer as researchers in Sweden claim that dental plaque increases the risk of premature death from cancer.

The study, which was published in the BMJ Open online journal, evaluated data from 1,390 people between 1985 and 2009. At the beginning of the study, participants were asked about risk factors that could increase cancer risk and their oral hygiene was also assessed.

After 24 years, when the study came to a conclusion, 58 patients had died including 35 who had died from cancer. Researchers revealed that the patients who had cancer had higher levels of dental plaque than those who were still alive after the study period.

The research team discovered that on average, patients who had died from cancer had a dental plaque index score of 0.84 and 0.91 in comparison to a score of between 0.66 and 0.67. The higher score indicates that the gum area of the teeth was completely covered in plaque, while the lower score represents only partial plaque coverage.

According to the authors of the study, dental plaque could increase the risk of premature death by cancer, as the average age of death was considerably lower than anticipated; the average age was 61 for women and 60 for men. Authors said that women are expected to live around 13 years longer than the average death age during the study, with men expected to live around 8 years longer.

The authors stated that the evidence from the study suggests that dental plaque plays a role in carcinogenesis; however, they did stress that the findings were not a definitive link between dental plaque and cancer and called for further research in this area.

Dental plaque and poor oral hygiene have now been linked with several systemic illnesses. The most effective way to prevent plaque build-up is to brush twice a day using fluoride toothpaste and dentists also advise avoiding sugary foods and drinks and having a routine check-up at least once a year.

 

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