Is Oral Health a Risk for Malignant Disease?

From Volume 37, Issue 5, June 2010 | Pages 279-283

Authors

Robin A Seymour

BDS, FDS RCS, FDS RCS(Edin), PhD, FHKAMS

Dean of Dentistry and Professor of Restorative Dentistry, School of Dental Sciences, Newcastle University, Framlington Place, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE2 4BW, UK

Articles by Robin A Seymour

Abstract

Poor oral health has been associated with a variety of systemic diseases. More recent evidence suggests that the extent and severity of periodontal disease and tooth loss may be associated with an increased risk of malignant disease. An association between poor oral health, smoking, increased alcohol consumption as a risk for oral cancer is well established. Associations between oral health and tooth loss with gastric, lung and pancreatic cancers are explored. Some of the associations need further evaluation before patients are warned about their periodontal health increasing the risk of malignant changes elsewhere in the body. The smoking factor may have a commonality linking oral health with an increased risk for malignant disease.

Article

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