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Below are 3 separate articles. The first two are similar on periodontal disease and pancreatic cancer. The last article is on a study of gum disease might be preventable with antiacids.
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Gum Disease Linked to Pancreatic Cancer
http://dentistry.about.com/od/toothmouthconditions/a/pancreatic.htm
A new study from Harvard has linked gum disease, also known as periodontal disease, to pancreatic cancer. Pancreatic cancer has been named as the fourth leading cause of cancer deaths in the
While there have been many studies documenting the link between poor oral hygiene and other medical problems, such as heart disease and stroke, this is the first study to find a solid link that gum disease could actually increase the risk of pancreatic cancer.
This particular study began in 1986 and documented over 50,000 men working in health professions. Between 1986 and 2002, researchers verified 216 cases of pancreatic cancer, with 67 of those cases having periodontal disease. In summary, after adjusting for factors such as diabetes, smoking and others, the findings showed that the men with gum disease were 63% more likely to develop pancreatic cancer by rate of comparison than men that did not have gum disease.
Dr. Dominique Michaud, assistant professor of epidemiology at Harvard, states that one possible reason for the link between gum disease and pancreatic cancer could be that “Individuals with periodontal disease have elevated serum biomarkers of systemic inflammation, such as C-reactive protein, and these may somehow contribute to the promotion of cancer cells.” Dr. Michaud also offers another explanation that a person with periodontal disease has increased levels of carcinogens and oral bacteria in their mouth.
Gum Disease is an infection in the gums surrounding the teeth. Gum disease is also one of the main causes of tooth loss among adults. There are two major stages of gum disease: Gingivitis and Periodontitis.
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http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/01/16/AR20070116014...
Gum Disease, Pancreatic Cancer May Be LinkedWednesday, January 17, 2007
Scientists have new evidence that gum disease may be linked to more serious health problems, in this case pancreatic cancer.
The researchers stressed that the findings need to be confirmed and explored by additional research, but it is not the first time that periodontal disease has been associated with other serious illness. Previous research suggested that people with infected gums may be more prone to heart disease.
Over time, the bacterial infection that causes gum disease can also cause loss of the bone that anchors the teeth, and the inflammation from the infection may set the stage for other serious diseases.
Pancreatic cancer strikes more than 33,000 Americans each year and kills more than 30,000, making it the fourth-leading cause of cancer death.
For the study, Dominique S. Michaud of the Harvard School of Public Health in
After taking other factors into consideration, such as age, smoking, diabetes and body mass index, the researchers found that the men with gum disease were 63 percent more likely to develop pancreatic cancer than those without gum disease. Non-smokers with gum disease were twice as likely to develop the hard-to-treat cancer as those with healthy gums.
"Our study provides the first strong evidence that periodontal disease may increase the risk of pancreatic cancer," said Michaud, who reported the findings in today's issue of the Journal of the National Cancer Institute.
-- Rob Stein
http://sciencedaily.healthology.com/gastrointestinal-health/article3951.htm
Medically Reviewed On: November 14, 2006
(HealthCentersOnline) - A recent study showed that a compound in common antacids may help prevent gingivitis.
Gingivitis, which is inflammation or swelling of the gums, is the mildest and most common form of periodontal disease, or gum disease. Gingivitis sometimes, but not always, worsens into a more severe form of periodontal disease called periodontitis. Over time, periodontitis can lead to the destruction of gum and bone tissue, which may eventually cause the teeth supported by that periodontal tissue to fall out or have to be pulled.
Dental plaque is home to hundreds of bacteria. In addition to causing tooth decay, some of these bacteria contribute to gum disease. One type in particular, Fusobacterium nucleatum, assists other bacteria in adhering to the teeth and penetrating beneath the gum line.
Researchers studied lansoprazole, a compound in benzimidazoles. Benzimidazoles are antacids, used primarily for treating gastroesophageal reflux, reducing stomach acidity and killing the bacteria that causes peptic ulcers.
When oral bacteria are causing damage to the teeth and gums, the environment in the mouth becomes acidic. This acidic environment prompts lansoprazole to become active. Once activated, lansoprazole disables F. nucleatum, preventing both the damage the bacterium causes directly and that of the bacteria it assists. When the oral environment returns to normal, lansoprazole deactivates.
"Benzimidazoles aren't just for acid-reflux anymore," said Dr. Robert Marquis of the University of Rochester Medical Center, in a recent press release. "We've shown their promise for preventing cavities in previous research, and now, perhaps even some protective benefits to guard against gingivitis. It's not unthinkable that one day these compounds might be more broadly used to promote dental health in toothpastes and mouthwashes."
Copyright 2000-2006 HealthCentersOnline, Inc.
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