Poor oral health linked to pancreatic cancer

In our quest for better health, there's a key body part many of us are neglecting — the mouth.

The link between oral health and overall health has been discussed in medical and dental journals for years, but the issue has yet to resonate with most doctors and patients. A report from Harvard researchers earlier this month may finally be a wake-up call. A new study found a surprising but powerful link between poor gum health and one of the deadliest diseases, pancreatic cancer.

In a study of more than 51,000 male doctors, the men with a history of gum disease were at 64 percent higher risk for pancreatic cancer, compared with those with healthy mouths. Although pancreatic cancer is relatively rare, the gum-disease risk translates into an additional 36 cases of pancreatic cancer per 100,000 people.

The study is the latest in a series of reports showing that the health of your mouth, teeth and gums may have a powerful impact on your overall health. Gum disease is linked with heart disease, stroke, diabetes and pregnancy problems.

A person suffering from gum disease has a mouth teeming with Porphyromonas gingivalis and other bacteria found in plaque, the sticky film that forms on teeth. These bacteria not only cause gums to become inflamed, but they can also invade other parts of the body, including cells in coronary arteries.

Nobody knows why gum disease may be linked with pancreatic cancer. It may be that chronic infection in the gums triggers inflammation throughout the body, which can fuel the growth of cancer. Or it may be that oral bacteria trigger a chemical process in the body that results in high levels of nitrosamines, cancer-causing compounds that also are in tobacco smoke.

"People think of gum disease as being in their mouth," says Dominique Michaud, the study's lead author and assistant professor at the Harvard School of Public Health. "But when it gets severe, it's not just in the mouth. It's probably in the entire body."

It's estimated that at least 35 percent of adults have some form of gum disease and about one-third of those have a moderate to severe form. Brushing and flossing regularly can help prevent gum disease but not always. About one-third of the population may have a genetic predisposition to the problem. Gum disease is also linked with smoking and tobacco use. Certain medications, including oral contraceptives, antidepressants and heart medicines, can also affect oral health.