Ever thought that something as simple as not brushing your teeth regularly could lead to cancer? You must think it’s weird. But now, the researchers have revealed a fact: they felt that Gum Bacteria Could Trigger Cancers. Let’s simplify and accurately understand the link between gum bacteria and cancer and what we could do to protect ourselves.
What is the relationship between gum bacteria and cancer?
To put it simply –
Imagine someone with gum disease. Scientists have found something neat: the bacteria that cause gum disease don’t live just in our mouths. They can travel elsewhere in our body through the bloodstream. That’s like having minor troublemakers escape from your mouth and wreak havoc elsewhere in your body.
The sneaky nature of these bacteria is due to their ability to evade the standard defense mechanism within the body. They could settle in different organs, causing inflammation after a period. That inflammation scientists have been able to report that, in some cases, it leads to cancer.
Which types of cancers are associated with gum bacteria?
Many forms of cancer have been linked to gum bacteria through research. The most robust links have been associated with colorectal cancer, pancreatic cancer, and even some types of mouth and throat cancers.
In a particular study, the researchers found that patients with severe gum diseases risk acquiring such cancers more than those with healthy gums. This does not suggest that people with gum issues will develop cancer. Instead, it is trying to convey how significant oral health care is.
The bacteria type causing trouble in our body:
The sort of bacteria which causes the most trouble is known as Fusobacterium Nucleatum. Well, that is a big word, but the actual thing matters is what it does. This bacteria is similar to some sort of master of disguise. It can probably outsmart our immune system and create inflammation that is not resolved.
When attached to different parts of our body, these bacteria tend to harm healthy cells over time. They also secrete substances that eventually make normal cells cancerous. It’s like creating an ambiance that awaits the manifestation of cancer’s growth.
What should we be looking for as a warning signal of gum disease?
Gum disease catches many people off guard, so they don’t even realize anything is wrong. Be sure to catch gum problems early; treating them is still relatively easy before they get a serious hold. Some signs you might get gum problems include bleeding when you brush your teeth. This is not normal, even though many people think it is. If your gums look red, puffy, or feel tender, that’s another warning sign.
Bad breath that lingers after brushing may also indicate gum issues. You could even feel your teeth loose sometimes or feel your gums getting away from your teeth. In such cases, it’s time you see a dentist.
How can we protect ourselves from harmful gum bacteria?
The good news is that we are not challenged by complicated methods to protect ourselves from these harmful bacteria. It begins with proper oral hygiene. Brush your teeth two times a day for good hygene. This means brushing for at least two minutes each time, not just a quick brush.
It is also very essential to flossing by using the dental floss. Flossing helps clean out food particles and the bacteria which you might not be able to reach with your brush. Many people tend to skip this but it is as equally important to brush.
The other key measure of protection is regular dental check-ups. Your dentist may notice some symptoms of the diseases in early stages and provide necessary treatment to prevent them from reaching severe stages. This is especially important if you do not think you need any dental treatment as you should visit a dentist at least once a year.
How can eating habits play a role in considerations of gum health?
The truth is that food directly influences gum health more than you can imagine. Harmful bacteria in your mouth feed on sweet foods and drinks, which then eat into your gums and teeth with their acids.
They include some vitamins and minerals that would help build up the gums and fight infection inherent to the condition. For example, one of the useful elements in citrus fruit is Vitamin C which helps gums.
Drink as much water as you can and try not to consume products which contain virtually no water in it such as alcohol and caffeine. This, between brushing, will wash off food particles, and bacteria, assuming you do not have access to water. It also promotes saliva production, naturally fighting harmful bacteria in our mouth.
Is everybody equally exposed to risk, or is one person more likely than another to develop gum conditions?
Some are at risk of developing gum conditions, which may lead to other conditions. Smokers have a higher risk of developing acute gum disease. Smoking denies the body its natural healing and fights the infection process in the gums.
Secondly, patients with diabetes should be careful about the health of their gums. Diabetes reduces human immunity, which means that it lowers one’s ability to fight diseases like periodontics or gum disease. Thus, diabetes patients should visit dental clinics more frequently.
The other risk factor is age. Since the chance of developing gum problems rises, older adults should care better for their oral health as they age.
New treatments?
Scientists are researching for new ways to fight bad gum bacteria. Some researchers are developing special mouthwashes that can target specific harmful bacteria while leaving the helpful ones alone. Think of it as a sniper taking out just the bad guys.
Other scientists are trying to find ways of fortifying our body’s inner defenses against these bacteria. This may be achieved by developing new treatments that help our immune system better recognize and fight harmful bacteria.
What if you are concerned about your gum health?
Should you ever need to know anything about your gums, the first thing is to visit your dentist. He will check out your gums, and at that very moment, he will know if something is wrong and what treatment you might need. Besides such visible symptoms as pain, you should not wait any longer for things like that to come up; early treatment is always better.
While a dentist visit can’t clean your teeth perfectly, professional cleaning by your dentist includes scrubbing away hardened plaque or tartar that you can’t remove at home. And also includes informing you on the right way to brush and floss your teeth.
So do not wait for it to get worse. It is better to visit the dentist whenever there is a need than to be one who has never done so at all.
Now, the bottom line:
That’s an important lesson from the connection between gum bacteria and cancer: oral health matters.
Our mouths connect to the rest of our bodies in ways scientists are still discovering. A healthy smile is not just cosmetic anymore; it also protects overall health.
Brushing properly, flossing regularly, and visiting the dentist can remarkably lower the risk of gum disease and may reduce the risk of various cancers, making it an easy investment in our health for great benefits.
The mouth predominantly aids in nutrition of the whole body. Looking after the mouth, literally means looking after the body as a whole. So why not start oral hygiene care today itself? Give your body a healthy life in return?
REFERENCE LINKS:
https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/gum-disease-may-signal-warning-for-pancreatic-cancer
https://nyulangone.org/news/pancreatic-cancer-risk-tied-specific-mouth-bacteria