Gum disease and your health

16/Jan/2007 07:28 AM
We have known for a number of years now that people with gum disease have a higher risk of heart attacks and strokes as a result of increased inflammatory proteins in the body. A recent study at the Harvard School of Public health found that men with gum disease had a 63% higher risk of developing pancreatic cancer than those with healthy gums. Since pancreatic cancer is usually only detected in the very late stages, this could be helpful in screening for it. The study does not indicate that the gum disease causes the cancer, researches say that there is a very strong correlation. They believe that men with gum disease have an elevated level of c-reactive protein, which is the result of inflammation in the body.

This is just one more reason to see your dentist on a regular basis.
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