Poor Oral Hygiene Raises Risk Of Cancer, Diabetes And Blood Pressure: Study

Taking care of your oral hygiene should be a priority, right before you are about to start your day. Not only does it make a good impression on others, it protects you from many other ailments. Now, as per a new study, the researchers have revealed that poor oral hygiene could increase the risk of cancer and other serious ailments.

According to a new study carried out by US scientists, not taking your oral hygiene seriously could lead to an increased risk of head and neck cancer. And if more reports are to be believed, it could even increase the risk of diabetes and blood pressure. Failing to take care of your oral hygiene could accumulate bacteria in the mouth, which may cause cancer and other gum-related diseases.

The study’s author, Professor Richard Hayes, from New York University (NYU), detailed the importance of maintaining good oral hygiene and how it reduces cancer risk. According to him, “Our results offer yet another reason to keep up good oral hygiene habits. Brushing and flossing may not only help prevent periodontal disease but also protect against head and neck cancer.”

The reports of GLOBOCAN 2020 state that by 2020, India will have 2.1 million new cancer cases. It shows an increase of 57.5 per cent from 2020. At the moment, India has the highest number of oral cavity cancer patients in the world, amounting to a total of 80 per cent to 90 per cent oral cancers. The reason behind such a shockingly high number is the widespread consumption of tobacco among the citizens, added the reports.

The study was published in the JAMA Oncology and researched more than one lakh people in the US. It observed their diets, oral health and lifestyle. Later, the participants gave their saliva samples, which underwent tests for microbial content.

The symptoms of head and neck cancer depend on where it is located. Some of the common symptoms include lumps or swelling, difficulty in swallowing, voice change, pain, consistent sore throat, pain in the ear, trouble breathing, unexplained weight loss, bleeding and numbness.