People with more cavities
in their teeth may have a reduced risk for some head and neck cancers, a new
study suggests.
That's because lactic acid bacteria produced by cavities may be protective against
cancer cells, the study authors said.
"This was an unexpected finding since dental cavities have been considered
a sign of poor oral health along with periodontal disease, and we had
previously observed an increased risk of head and neck cancers among subjects
with periodontal disease," said lead researcher Dr. Mine Tezal, an
assistant professor at the University at Buffalo, State University of New York.
Tezal was quick to note, however, that the finding doesn't mean people should
let cavities develop in hopes of preventing these cancers.
"The main message is to avoid things that would shift the balance in
normal microbial ecology, including overuse of antimicrobial products and
smoking. Rather, you should maintain a healthy diet and good oral hygiene, by
brushing and flossing," she said. The report was published
Sept. 12 in the online edition of JAMA Otolaryngology -- Head &
Neck Surgery.
For the study, Tezal's team evaluated 399 patients with head and neck cancers,
comparing them to 221 similar people without cancer.
The investigators found that the people with the most cavities were the ones
least likely to have head and neck cancer, compared to those with the fewest
cavities. Those with the most cavities had a 32 percent lower risk even after
factors such as sex, marital status, smoking and alcohol use were taken into
account.
"It is important to point out that missing teeth and decayed filled teeth,
a widely used measure of tooth decay, were not associated with head and neck
cancers," Tezal said.
Cavities are caused by lactic acid produced by bacteria such as streptococci, lactobacilli, actinomycetes and bifidobacteria, the same kinds of bacteria used in yogurt production, Tezal said.
"These bacteria have important roles in digestion, as well as in local
mucosal and systemic immunity, and their reduction has been associated with
chronic inflammatory diseases, allergies, obesity and cancer," she said.
Tezal said these bacteria could be a key to preventing some head and neck
cancers.
"We could think of
dental cavities as a collateral damage, and develop strategies to reduce their
risk while preserving the beneficial effects of the lactic acid bacteria,"
she said.
Health News published by caribbeanmedicalschools.com
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