A study which was conducted by the scientists at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute together with the people at Broad Institute in America has uncovered in new link between your mouth and your systemic health. In that study, it seems like there is a relationship between a strain of bacteria inside your mouth and bowel cancer. The results of this study join other studies which have implicated oral health to a person’s overall health.
Fusobacterium in your mouth
The study centers in on the Fusobacterium species which are found on abnormally large numbers in nine colorectal tumor samples. This bacterial species is the culprit behind the development of gum diseases. This has made researchers think that there could be a relationship between gum diseases and the development of colorectal cancer.
Colorectal cancer in America
Bowel cancer, also known as colon cancer, is one of the leading causes of death in the states. According to the CDC, 142,672 Americans were diagnosed with the malignancy back in 2007. Fortunately, with early detection, colon cancer is potentially curable. Screening is your first line of defense against the cancer and determining a link between gum disease and colorectal cancer could be a huge leap towards the development of more effective and sensitive screening methods.
Gum Disease and Colon Cancer
Currently, the link between the two has not yet been fully established and studies are currently ongoing to probe if there really is a direct relationship between your risks for colon cancer depending on the state of your gums. Despite that, this information should prompt individuals to get a colon cancer screening if they have been suffering from gum disease for a long period now.
Gum Care
Not taking into consideration colon cancer, gum diseases are rather serious on their own. Gingival diseases are the leading causes of tooth loss in the country. Luckily, it’s easy for you to ensure the health of your gums simply by following your dentist’s instructions of brushing after each meal, flossing once a day and rinsing with mouthwash.
Gingivitis vs Periodontitis
There are two major types of gum disease – gingivitis and periodontitis. Gingivitis is the mild inflammation of the gums and is usually the first gum disease which a person will experience before escalating into periodontitis, which involves destruction of deeper tissues including jawbones. It is the latter which will eventually cause tooth loss in a patient suffering from the condition for a considerable period of time.
