Dr. Mogell Dental Blog

Boca Raton Cosmetic Dentist

Pancreatic cancer linked to Periodontal disease?

Wednesday, February 21, 2007

I recently have seen several reports regarding the connection with Periodontal Disease and Pancreatic Cancer. Gum disease may increase the risk of developing deadly pancreatic cancer, even among those who have never smoked, according to research reported in Novemember 2006 at the American Association for Cancer Research’s Frontiers in Cancer Prevention Research Meeting. A total of 216 men developed pancreatic cancer during follow-up. After factoring out smoking, diabetes, obesity, physical activity, diet and other potentially confounding factors, men with a history of gum disease had a 63-percent higher risk of developing pancreatic cancer relative to men without periodontal disease. Gum disease results in chronic inflammation over many years, the researchers explain, and people with gum disease harbor high levels of harmful bacteria in the mouth and gut and tend to have higher amounts of cancer-causing nitrosamines.
Just another outstanding reason to have the best oral health that you can achieve. Please call our office at 561-394-9000 to schedule your next visit to maintian your periodontal health!

Kenneth A. Mogell, D.M.D.