Gingivitis (gum disease) may increase risk of several cancers and heart disease

According to a prospective study published in the Lancet Oncology, U.S. male health professionals with a history of gum disease had a higher overall risk of developing lung, kidney, pancreatic and hematological cancers.

The 50,000 study participants were mostly male physicians aged 40-75 who were followed for 17 years. Those with history of periodontal disease had a 36% higher risk of lung cancer, a 49% higher risk of kidney cancer, a 54% higher risk of pancreatic cancer and a 30% higher risk of having a blood cancer.

Periodontal disease was associated with a small, but significant, increase in overall cancer risk, which persisted in never-smokers. Periodontal disease might be a marker of a susceptible immune system or might directly affect cancer risk.


Oral Health and Cardiovascular Disease http://bit.ly/diO6lg

Contradicting evidence from 2012: Flossing Is Good For The Gums, But Doesn't Help The Heart http://goo.gl/SSCug

References:

Periodontal disease, tooth loss, and cancer risk in male health professionals: a prospective cohort study. Lancet Oncology 2008; 9:550-558.
Periodontal diseases and cancer. Lancet Oncology 2008; 9:510-512.
Gum disease may raise cancer risk, study finds. Reuters.

People who consume a lot of omega-3 fatty acids (in oily fish) have a 22% lower risk of developing gum disease http://goo.gl/hsD0B
Image source: Cross-section of a tooth with visible gums, or gingiva, Wikipedia, GNU Free Documentation License.