Use your toothbrush to fight cancer

We tend to separate our mouths from our bodies. By that I mean, that we don’t consider the issues that arise in our mouths to have any significant impact on our overall health. But nothing could be further from the truth.

Before the development of antibiotics, serious dental infections were pretty much a death sentence. Are they still today? Somehow, during the evolution of modern medicine, we came to view dental health and the rest of the body as completely separate systems.

However, emerging research shows strong links between less-than-optimal oral health and chronic inflammation, cancer, cardiovascular disease and more.

Just a couple of years ago, scientists demonstrated a link between poor oral health and the development of Alzheimer’s disease, the deadly form of dementia that is skyrocketing to epidemic proportions.

In one study, researchers uncovered the presence of the bacteria Porphyromonas gingivalis in brain samples from patients who died of Alzheimer’s disease. This type of bacteria is a prime culprit in periodontal disease. Another, earlier study suggested a link between gum disease and dementia.

Another study shows that women with periodontal disease are more likely to develop breast cancer than women who do not have chronic inflammatory disease. And — a bit of information from the study that’s not as surprising but compounds the threat — a history of smoking significantly affected the women’s risk. Here are the details…

Postmenopausal smokers’ worrisome oral link to cancer

The study followed 73,737 postmenopausal women enrolled in the Women’s Health Initiative Observational Study, none of whom had previous breast cancer, for almost 7 years. During that time 26.1 percent of the women reported having periodontal disease.

At follow-up, 2,124 of the women were diagnosed with breast cancer — and the researchers found that among all the women, the risk of breast cancer was 14 percent higher in the women who had periodontal disease.

History of smoking also played a part in the breast cancer risk for women with periodontal disease. Women who had quit smoking within the past 20 years had a 36 percent higher risk; women who were smoking at the time of the study had a 32 percent higher risk. Those who had never smoked or had quit 20 years ago had a 6 percent and 8 percent increase in risk.

We all know the importance of a healthy, nutrient-dense diet for maintaining good oral and dental health and for keeping immunity running strong. Avoiding sweeteners, refined foods and carbonated drinks is essential. Foods high in antioxidants are important for maintaining gum health and reducing inflammation. Some supplements boost your oral health.

But there are some specific steps you can take to avoid periodontal disease. The American Academy of Periodontology recommends that you:

• Brush your teeth. Brushing after meals helps remove food debris and plaque trapped between your teeth and gums. Don’t forget to include your tongue, bacteria love to hide there.
• Floss. Flossing at least once a day helps remove food particles and plaque between teeth and along the gum line that your toothbrush can’t quite reach.
• Swish with mouthwash. Using a mouthwash can help reduce plaque and can remove remaining food particles that brushing and flossing missed.
• Know your risk. Age, smoking, diet and genetics can all increase your risk for periodontal disease. If you are at increased risk, be sure to talk with your dental professional.
• See a periodontist. Get an annual comprehensive periodontal evaluation (CPE) from a dental professional. A CPE looks at your teeth, plaque level, gums, bite, bone structure and other risk factors for periodontal disease. Identifying symptoms of gum disease early is key to protecting your teeth and gums…

And avoiding cancer.