Gum disease has been linked to a variety
of other health problems, including:
- heart disease and heart attacks
- diabetes and its control
- stroke
- rheumatoid arthritis
Gum
disease is an infection of the tissues that support the teeth. It's mainly
caused by bacteria from plaque build-up. In some patients who are susceptible
to gum disease, the body over-reacts to the bacteria around the gums and causes
too much inflammation. In others, the inflammation doesn’t clear up properly.
The result of the intense gum inflammation is that it also affects the
bloodstream and is believed slowly to damage blood vessels in the heart and
brain over a long time period.
New research connects gum
disease-causing mouth bacteria to tumor growth in the colon
Now,
scientists team at Case Western Reserve University School of Dental Medicine
suggest that gum disease can also contribute to colorectal cancer.
The
bacteria, called Fusobacterium nucleatum, can attach to colon cells and trigger
a sequence of changes that can lead to colon cancer.
The
researchers also found a way to prevent the bacteria from attaching to colon
cells.
"This
discovery creates the potential for new diagnostic tools and therapies to treat
and prevent the cancer," lead investigator Yiping Han said in a university
news release.
The
findings show the importance of good oral health, said Han, a professor of
periodontics. She noted that levels of F. nucleatum are much higher in people
with gum disease.
Although
the study found a possible association between oral infection and colon cancer,
it did not prove a cause-and-effect relationship.
###
The above
story also uses materials from the August 14, 2013 news release by Case Western
Reserve University.
The study
was published in the journal Cell Host & Microbe:
Roxana
Rubinstein MR, Wang X, Liu W, Hao Y, Cai G, Han YW. Fusobacterium nucleatum Promotes Colorectal Carcinogenesis by
Modulating E-Cadherin/b-Catenin Signaling via its FadA Adhesin. Cell Host Microbe. 2013 August
14;14(2):195-206
###
More
information
The
American Academy of Family Physicians outlines how to keep your teeth and mouth healthy
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