GUM DISEASE LINKED TO CANCER
According to a research study published in the June issue of The Lancet Oncology," Periodontal disease was associated with a small, but significant, increase in overall cancer risk.
/Missouri News Articles/ - St. Louis, MO, July 10, 2008 - Gum disease has recently been linked to cancer. According to a research study published in the June issue of The Lancet Oncology, "Periodontal disease was associated with a small, but significant, increase in overall cancer risk." Study results suggested that periodontal disease may either be "a marker of a susceptible immune system" or a direct cause of cancer.
If gum disease is a cause of cancer, what can you do to protect yourself? If you are one of the 85% of adult Americans already suffering from gum disease, what can you do to stop the disease and its potential progression into cancer?
In 2004 the FDA cleared an effective, non-surgical treatment for gum disease call Perio Protect. The Perio Protect Method is a doctor-supervised homecare treatment program. It involves the use of a patented medical device, known as the Perio Tray, to deliver antimicrobial medication directly to the source of the infection. Patients receive customized trays, which fit comfortably but firmly over the teeth and gums. Medication is placed in the trays by the patient so when they are worn over the teeth, the medication can be kept and maintained between the teeth and gums and below the gum line in order to kill the bacteria that cause gum disease and ultimately may instigate the occurrence of certain cancers. Simply put, the Perio Protect Method destroys the bacteria where is starts. This process has been clinically shown to effectively eradicate 99.98% of the periopathogens that cause gum disease.
Prior to Perio Protect, the most common way to treat gum disease involved dental scaling and root planing above and below the gum line, or invasive surgery where diseased portions of the gum tissue are cut away or treated with lasers. These invasive procedures can eradicate bacteria but cannot prevent them from coming back, so the procedures often need to be repeated. The invasive treatment options also can be painful and are therefore unpopular with patients who often leave their gum disease untreated in order to avoid the procedures.
Perio Protect treatment can not only eradicate the periopathogens, it can also help prevent bacterial regrowth for long-term health. In order to be fitted for customized Perio Trays and receive effective medication, patients must see a Perio Protect-certified dentist. To locate a certified doctor, patients can visit the Perio Protect website (perioprotect.com) or call Perio Protect.
The study, titled "Periodontal Disease, Tooth Loss, And Cancer Risk In Male Health Professionals," headed by Dr. Dominique Michaud at Imperial College in London, was undertaken to determine if gum disease increased one's risk of getting cancer. Starting in 1986, data was collected from over 48,000 male health professionals via questionnaires. Over a 17 year period 5,700 cancer cases were diagnosed among those participants. After taking into account other risk factors such as smoking and diet, the study found that subjects with gum disease were 14% more likely to have cancer than subjects without gum disease. Study participants with gum disease had a 36% higher risk of lung cancer, a 49% higher risk of kidney cancer, 54% higher risk of pancreatic cancer and a 30% higher risk of haematological (white blood cell) cancers.
Previous medical research studies have found links between periodontal disease and heart disease, diabetes, Alzheimer's, pneumonia and preterm, low birth weight babies. These findings indicate that the infection in gum tissue may serve as an entry point for bacteria to invade the body and contribute to systemic diseases. Because disease-causing bacteria may spread through the body via blood capillaries or nervous system to threaten more than your teeth and gums, it is important to discuss all risk factors with a doctor and immediately treat any infected areas in your mouth. Stop the disease where it starts.
For more information about gum disease, its link to serious systemic illnesses and how Perio Protect can combat the bacteria, which may be a catalyst to all these diseases, visit the website of Perio Protect at perioprotect.com.
CONTACT: Douglas N. Dunlap (866-693-3400)
ddunlap@perio-protect.com
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Perio Protect
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