New research by Harvard scientists warns of a possible association between irregular toothbrushing and the risk of developing esophageal and stomach cancer.
- Patients with a history of periodontitis are 45% more likely to develop esophageal cancer, a figure that rises to 59% in those who combine periodontitis and tooth loss.
- The risk of stomach cancer is increased by 50% for people with gum disease and 68% for those who have lost a tooth.
- These data confirm the importance of the oral microbiome in esophageal and stomach cancer.
It was probably told to you in your childhood: brushing your teeth regularly (at least twice a day for two minutes) is essential for your oral health. This hygiene habit would also help preserve other diseases, including cancer, underlines new research published in the journal gut and carried out by scientists from the Harvard H Chan School of Public Health (USA).
The study was carried out from two separate studies, which followed 98,459 women and 49,685 men over a period extending from 22 to 28 years. The aim was to assess the association between a history of periodontal disease and tooth loss and the risk of developing esophageal or gastric cancer.
At the end of the search, the authors found 199 cases of esophageal cancer and 238 cases of stomach cancer. Patients with a history of periodontitis are 45% more likely to develop esophageal cancer. The risk rises to 59% in those who combine periodontitis and tooth loss. As for stomach cancer, the risks are increased by 50% for people with gum disease and 68% for those who have lost a tooth.
Bad brushing favors certain bacteria
According to the scientists who conducted the study, these results can be explained by poor oral hygiene which, added to the inflammation caused by periodontal disease, could promote the appearance of bacteria responsible for these types of cancer. “These data confirm the importance of the oral microbiome in esophageal and stomach cancer. Further prospective studies that directly assess the oral microbiome are needed to identify the specific oral bacteria responsible for this relationship.”, believe the researchers.
For effective toothbrushing, it is recommended to start from the gumline, without forgetting the back of the teeth. It is also essential to clean the interstices (in which food residues can lodge) using dental floss.
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