People are being warned not to skip brushing their teeth even once a day. A new study says it could increase your risk of cancer.
NHS guidelines advise us to brush our teeth at least twice a day to prevent tooth decay, bad breath, and gum disease. Now the research has made an even more compelling case for this daily habit by indicating it could cut your risk of a deadly disease by up to 50 percent.
The study in the US has linked over a dozen oral bacteria types with a 50 percent increased risk of developing head and neck cancer. It is the same bacteria associated with periodontal disease, a serious gum condition that harms the jawbone and surrounding tissue.
While previous studies have connected oral bacteria to these cancers, the specific types involved were previously unknown. Soyoung Kwak, one of the study authors, provided clarity by saying: “Our findings offer new insight into the relationship between the oral microbiome and head and neck cancers. These bacteria may serve as biomarkers for experts to flag those at high risk.”
The study, published in JAMA Oncology, assessed data from three ongoing studies involving 159,840 Americans to understand how diet, lifestyle, medical history, and other factors might influence their cancer risk. The study called for participants to rinse with mouthwash and submit saliva samples for analysis by researchers.
Researchers have utilised samples to pinpoint DNA from bacteria and fungi in the mouth, gauging both the quantity and variety of oral microbes, reports the Express. Years later, after a decade or more, the team reconnected with participants to note any tumour development during this period.
In total, 236 individuals were diagnosed with cancers of the head and neck. They found that the presence of 13 oral bacterial species, such as Prevotella salivae, Streptococcus sanguinis, and Leptotrichia, correlated with heightened head and neck cancer risk.
NYU Grossman School of Medicine’s Professor Richard Hayes, also part of the Perlmutter Cancer Centre, emphasised the importance of the research for dental health. “Our results offer yet another reason to keep up good oral-hygiene habits,” he remarked.
He warned that maintaining dental care routines such as brushing and flossing might not just prevent gum disease but could potentially guard against head and neck cancers. The NHS provides guidelines for thorough tooth brushing, advising a complete clean across all tooth surfaces, a task taking around two minutes.
“Remember to brush the inside surfaces, outside surfaces and the chewing surfaces of your teeth,” the NHS says. Additionally, the NHS advises against immediate rinsing post-brushing to avoid washing away the high-fluoride concentration left in toothpaste.
Cancer Research UK says head and neck cancer ranks as the eighth most common type of cancer in the UK, with approximately 12,800 new cases reported annually. It also results in around 4,100 deaths each year.