In yet another development linking oral health to overall health, a report by researchers at Aichi Cancer Center in Nagoya and Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine has connected tooth loss with cancer of the esophagus, lungs, and head and neck. While other studies have made similar correlations, this particular report is the largest of its kind. Speculations indicate that the bacteria related to tooth loss could influence development of these diseases. The report refers to the oral cavity as a “gateway between the external environment and the gastrointestinal tract.” Earlier reports linking periodontal disease to heart disease, stroke, diabetes complications, dementia, Alzheimer’s, and low birth weight reflect a similar premise.
SOURCE: MedicalNewsToday