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There’s more evidence that suggests poor oral hygiene increases the risk dying prematurely from cancer.
Researchers in Sweden concluded that dental plaque raises the risk of premature death from cancer after analyzing data from nearly 1,400 people from 1985 through 2009. The study appeared in the BMJ Open online journal.
During the course of the study, 58 patients who were part of the study died and 35 of those deaths were cancer-related. The research team stated that the patients who died from cancer-related problems had a higher level of dental plaque when compared to those who were alive after the study’s conclusion.
The dental plaque index score for people who died from cancer was between 0.84 and 0.91 on average compared to scores between 0.66 and 0.67 for people who died from reasons other than cancer. A higher score correlates with a larger the area of plaque coverage.
The average age of death for people who were studied was much lower than expected. The women in the study were expected to live 13 years longer than they did on average and the men were expected to live eight years longer.
Based on the results, the research team concluded that dental plaque impacts carcinogenesis. Still, they can’t be 100 percent certain that the link involving dental plaque and cancer exists.
This is another in a long line of studies showing the correlation between good overall health and good dental health. The best way to achieve that is by brushing regularly, avoiding sugary or acidic food and drinks, and visiting the dentist on a regular basis.
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