It is common knowledge that cancers are lethal and pancreatic cancer is no exception due to difficulties in diagnosing it at its earliest and potentially most treatable stage. Periodontal disease, which is inflammation of the gingival tissue with bleeding, periodontal pocket formation, bone loss, and potentially tooth loss is one risk factor showing promise. Periodontal disease affects about 50% of the U.S. population (160 million people) to some degree. “For years we thought that periodontal disease was simply a localized infection of the gums, but more evidence is showing that it can potentially be linked to a host of systematic conditions,” explains Boston-based periodontist Terrence J. Griffin, DMD, who serves as president of the American Academy of Periodontology. Periodontal disease shows more than a casual relationship with other illnesses such as heart disease and diabetes.
Although other risk factors such as family history, age, ethnicity, gender etc are beyond one’s control there are other risks that one can control such as maintaining a healthy mouth since evidence is accumulating linking the health of one’s oral cavity to one’s systemic health.
Published by letswinpc.org