At Shine Dental Associates we always stress the importance of good oral hygiene to our patients. We have also noted for years the connection between periodontal disease and systemic illness.
We found a recent study about the connection between oral hygiene and cancer reported by Alexandra Sifferlin for Time Magazine online.
We suggest you read the study in its entirety so that you completely grasp the importance of practicing good oral hygiene at home, as well as being very diligent about scheduling and showing up for regular dental cleanings with our office.
…a study published in the journal Cancer Prevention Research reports that poor oral health, which includes dental problems and gum disease, is an independent risk factor for oral HPV infection, and by extension, could also contribute to oral cancers. The research team from the University of Texas Health Sciences Center in Houston studied more 3,400 participants between the ages 30 to 69 who were part of the 2009-2010 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). The volunteers provided data on their oral health as well as on their HPV-infection status.
Those who reported poor oral health had a 56% higher rate of HPV infection than those whose mouths were healthy, and people who had gum disease and dental problems had a 51% higher risk of being infected with HPV than those who didn’t have these issues.
Read the full article here: How Brushing Your Teeth Lowers Your Risk of Cancer
Call today to schedule your next dental visit: (516) 348-8500