AIIMS Delhi study: Poor oral hygiene linked to increased cancer risk

Underscoring the importance of integrating oral care practices in day-to-day lives, researchers from AIIMS Delhi have published an interesting article in The Lancet Regional Health - Southeast Asia journal. 

As per the research, good oral health not just improves overall health but also helps in reducing the risk of serious health ailments like cancer. 

Emerging evidences indicate that poor oral health is closely associated with several health problems, including cardiovascular disease, diabetes, adverse pregnancy outcomes and Alzheimer's disease, oncologists Dr Abhishek Shankar and Dr Vaibhav Sahni from All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Delhi said in the article. 

The study also mentioned that oral hygiene has been implicated in cancer risk and its prediction, particularly in head and neck cancers (HNC).  It was found that the presence of pathogenic oral bacteria such as Porphyromonas gingivalis and Prevotella intermedia has been shown to elevate cancer incidence. 

Experts also suggested that, as per a recent systematic review, radiotherapy (RT) to the head and neck region significantly alters the oral microbiome, typically reducing beneficial bacteria while increasing potentially harmful species, leading to post RT complications. 

Through the findings, researchers stressed the need to maintain optimal oral hygiene before, during and after RT, given its role in influencing survivorship outcomes. 

"It is abundantly clear that oral healthcare plays a significant role in enhancing health-related outcomes, including those related to cancer survivorship. This evidence underscores the necessity of integrating oral health practices not only at the primary care level but throughout all healthcare settings," the doctors said.

The researchers stated that the World Health Organisation (WHO) - South East Asia Region (SEAR) could benefit from public health initiatives to improve oral health. They also pitched for supervised tooth-brushing programmes for children alongside sensitising teachers and families regarding the importance of oral health and providing free toothbrushes and toothpaste to foster behavioural change.

Health