Gum Disease Linked to Increased Risk of Pancreatic Cancer
Recent findings by the British Dental Health Foundation (BDHF) links a bacterium responsible for gum disease development with double the risk of pancreatic cancer. The study, published in the journal Gut, indicate that although researchers are still leery of announcing a direct connection, it’s one worth further exploring.
Gum Disease and Pancreatic Cancer Link
“This is not an established risk factor,” insists study author Dominique Michaud, an epidemiologist at Brown University. “But I feel more confident that something is going on. It’s something we need to understand better.”
In the UK, 7,901 people died of pancreatic cancer in 2010 alone. Chief Executive of the BDHF, Dr. Nigel Carter, says the study presents a good opportunity to remind the public of the importance of oral hygiene.
“There is no escaping the fact poor oral health has some role to play, as a number of studies are now starting to show. What we must remember is oral health is relatively simple to maintain.”
It may still seem strange to make such connections, but other research has also found that plaque on teeth can contribute to premature cancer death. According to the research conducted over the course of 24 years, this dental plaque, if present for an extended time, could increase your risk of dying from cancer 13 years earlier than what would normally be expected with proper oral health.
Natural Ways to Achieve Better Oral Health
What many holistic healers and dental organizations disagree upon, however, is the role fluoride has to play in dental health. Many of us take for granted that the fluoride in our public water supply is safe and good for our teeth, but research actually shows that fluoride lowers your IQ, gives you cancer, and doesn’t even provide any real benefit to teeth. To add insult to injury, vitamin D, the free and natural sunlight vitamin, is better than fluoride at preventing cavities.
To naturally improve oral health, give oil pulling a try. The most popular and effective oils are sesame and sunflower oils, although coconut oil has recently made a comeback not only for cardiovascular but also for dental health. You can also read our articles on natural teeth whitening home remedies as well as how to prevent cavities naturally.
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