DENTAL CARE

Q: Gum Disease linked to Esophageal Cancer A: As I have discussed in the past, there are many different bacteria’s found in periodontal disease that are connected to other diseases in the body. One of those bacteria, Porphyromonas gingivalis, one of the main bacteria’s, has been linked as a possible risk factor for esophageal cancer.

Every year, approximately 15,000 people in the United States are diagnosed with esophageal cancer. The esophagus is the muscle that moves food from your throat down to your stomach. The lining of the esophagus is made of two different types of cells, which is why there are two different types of esophageal cancer: esophageal adenocarcinoma and esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). The risk factors for esophageal that are already known include diet, heredity, age, as well as chemical exposure. Esophageal cancer is very hard to diagnose early, and by the time most people are diagnosed, the prognosis is usually poor.

For this study, researchers from the University of Louisville, KY tested tissue from 100 patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) and 30 patients who did not have the disease. They tested samples of cancerous tissue, non-cancerous tissue that was close to the cancerous tissue, and normal tissue from the 30 people who did not have the disease. The findings showed the Porphyromonas gingivalis, the bacteria that I mentioned above, was present in 61% of the cancerous tissue and 12% of the tissue found close to the cancerous tissue. There was none found in the normal tissue samples. Co-senior author Huizhi Wang says: “These findings provide the first direct evidence that infection could be a novel risk factor for esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC), and may also serve as a prognostic biomarker for this type of cancer.” He notes that if this is proven true, that by getting rid of this oral bacteria, by improving dental hygiene, could help reduce the number of people who develop ESCC.

Keeping the mouth healthy has been shown to have an impact on heart and general health issues. Over the years, I have seen patients with bad gum disease. Some of these patients ended up with serious coronary issues and some even died of a heart attack. Coincidence? Maybe...but I really believe that the condition of the mouth will impact many disease processes. Those patients with a clean mouth may remove one more potential variable to some disease processes as research continues to suggest.

So, what’s the best way to help reduce mouth bacteria. We’ve spoken about this a number of times. Review is good for everyone. Daily brushing and flossing is the key to this. Daily does not mean once per day. It means multiple times per day. We wash our hands more than once per day when they get dirty. Teeth get dirty too every time we eat. It stands to reason that multiple brushings and flossing is necessary for health. In addition, to home care, professional care is also part and parcel of good hygiene habits. Periodic exams and cleanings go hand in hand with your good work at home. When was your last cleaning? If it’s been longer than 6 months, then it is time to be seen. Call us at 440.951.7856 and let us help you on the road to a healthful future.