Most of us are told since childhood that brushing our teeth twice a day is important to keep our teeth clean and healthy, and to prevent potential cavities, however it can have another very important benefit.
According to a study conducted by a team at Queen’s University Belfast, Britain, poor oral hygiene may significantly increase the risk of developing liver cancer.
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The study, published in the United European Journal of Gastroenterology, found that those with conditions such as painful or bleeding gums, mouth ulcers and loose teeth were 75% more likely to develop HCC.
The study, according to the British “Daily Express”, included more than 469,000 people in the United Kingdom, and the link between oral health conditions and the risk of developing a number of gastrointestinal cancers including cancer of the liver, colorectal and pancreas was investigated.
poor oral health
Among the participants, 4,069 people developed gastrointestinal cancer over a six-year period, and in 13% of these cases, patients reported poor oral health.
Dr. said. Heidi Jordaw, from Queen’s University Belfast’s Center for Public Health and lead author of the study: “Poor oral health has been associated with a risk of many chronic diseases, such as heart disease, stroke and diabetes.”
There are two main theories regarding why poor oral health is linked to liver cancer. The first looks at the role of the oral and gut microbiome in disease development.
Jordaw said: “The liver contributes to the elimination of bacteria from the human body, and when the liver is affected by diseases such as hepatitis, cirrhosis or cancer, its function will decrease and the bacteria will live longer and therefore have the ability to cause more damage.”
hepatocellular carcinoma
She continued: “One of the bacteria is Fusobacterium, which originates in the oral cavity but its role in liver cancer is unclear, so further studies on the microbiome and liver cancer are warranted.”
The other theory is that those with poor oral health problems, such as missing teeth, are more likely to eat softer, less nutritious foods, which may increase the risk of liver cancer.
Hepatocellular carcinoma is a type of liver cancer that develops from the main liver cells, and Cancer Research UK says: “It’s more common in people with cirrhosis.”
Symptoms of liver cancer
Men are usually more likely to develop hepatocellular carcinoma, and it becomes more common with age. Symptoms include:
– Weight loss
Yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes
– feeling sick
Flatulence
Loss of appetite or feeling full following eating small amounts
Pain in your stomach
A lump on the right side of your abdomen
Pain in the right shoulder.
