Straight Teeth in Less Time
Are Your Bleeding Gums Increasing Your Risk Of Cancer?
Lois Murray
Bleeding gums are one of the first signs many people notice that their gums aren't as healthy as they should be. If your gums are bleeding, there's a very strong chance that you have gum disease. While that may be upsetting enough, having gum disease could potentially put you at an increased risk of developing cancer. Read on to learn how gum disease contributes to cancer risk and what cancers it has been linked to.
The Theory
Doctors and scientists aren't entirely certain why there's a link between gum disease and cancer at this time. However, they do have some theories that they think could explain the culprit.
One of the leading studies believes that gum disease contributes to overall inflammation in the body. In general, when a part of the body develops inflammation from an injury or disease, if left untreated, that inflammation often spreads. Some scientists believe that if you experience untreated inflammation in your gums for years, the rest of the body may develop inflammation and an increased risk of cancer as a result.
Others think that the bacteria behind gum disease is to blame. When the gums are infected, the bacteria responsible can enter the bloodstream and travel throughout the body. From there, it can spread infection and inflammation anywhere in the body, including the brain. This theory may also explain why there seems to be a connection between dementia and gum disease.
Breast Cancer
One of the forms of cancer that gum disease has recently been linked to is breast cancer. While breast cancer is becoming more survivable with treatment, it's still one of the leading causes of cancer among women. Men shouldn't think they're immune either, as men can develop breast cancer.
While it's probably unlikely that gum disease causes breast cancer entirely by itself, it's a risk factor one should consider when looking at their overall cancer risk. If you're already at risk due to other issues like taking birth control pills or having a family history, you should put in the extra effort to care for your gums to reduce your risk.
Esophageal Cancer
Recently, esophageal cancer has been linked to gum disease. This is particularly important since esophageal cancer is on the rise in the United States.
Scientists believe that esophageal cancer may be due to an overabundance of gum disease. This makes some sense since the bacteria found in the gums and mouth can travel directly down the esophagus when you swallow. Anytime you eat, drink, or gulp, that bacteria travels down the esophagus, where it could promote inflammation and irritation. Over a long period of time, this could increase the risk of cancer developing.
Taking care of your teeth and gums can be a drag at times, but your whole body will thank you for it. If you think you're developing gum disease, visit a dentist immediately to reverse the disease and to protect your overall health. Contact a dental office like Apollo Dental Center for more information and assistance.
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I had braces when I was a kid. Back then, you had to wear those metal wires and rubber bands for what seemed like forever. When I saw that my child’s teeth were going to be crooked like mine, I was dreading the years of braces and orthodontist appointments and limited diets that I saw stretching ahead of us. I was pleased to find out that braces today are very different from braces when I was a kid. They don’t need to be worn for nearly as long, and they aren’t as intrusive, either. My daughter got braces that can barely be seen, and she can remove them when she eats, so she doesn’t have to give up her favorite foods. I was so impressed that I started a blog to talk about modern day tooth straightening techniques. Braces have come a long way.