The American Association for Cancer Research(AACR) recently reported the findings of a Japanese study which found a strong link between tooth loss and increased risk of esophageal, head and neck, and lung cancers. Scientists from the Aichi Cancer Center in Nagoya and Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine found that “…bacterial infection and inflammation resulting from poor oral care that leads to tooth loss could also be driving development of these cancers.”

Akio Hiraki, the study’s lead author notes that, “Tooth loss is a common consequence of chronic bacterial infection and may, therefore, serve as a surrogate for chronic infection and inflammation, which in turn may be important to the pathogenesis of cancer.”

The AACR notes that this is the largest study of its kind, and the first conducted with an Asian population. This study is also the first of its kind to show a link between tooth loss and lung cancer.

I wrote back in January, 2007, about a strong link developing between oral health and overall health. In that post, I referenced an American Dental Association(ADA) report that “…oral bacteria, in some studies, have been associated with heart disease, stroke, diabetes and the birth of pre-term, low- birth- weight babies.” So, the link between oral health and overall health is nothing new. In fact, the link continues to grow stronger with each passing study.

So, what does this tell us? Simple. Dental care cannot be neglected. Our teeth are no less important to take care of than any other part of our body. It may seem absurd to some, but it’s true. The studies don’t lie.

Read more about the tooth loss-cancer link.

Source: American Association for Cancer Research (AACR)

Do reported links between oral health and overall health change your attitude regarding dental care? Will you change your oral hygiene habits?

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• Does Mouthwash Cause Oral Cancer?

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