(By Dr. Joseph D. Lim and Dr. Kenneth Lester Lim, BS-MMG, DDM, MSc-OI)
POOR oral hygiene could significantly increase the risk of developing liver cancer.
According to research, published in the United European Gastroenterology journal, people with painful or bleeding gums, mouth ulcers and loose teeth are 75 percent more likely to have hepatocellular carcinoma, the most common form of primary liver cancer.
“Poor oral health has been associated with the risk of several chronic diseases, such as heart disease, stroke and diabetes,” says Dr. Haydée Jordão of the Center of Public Health, Queen’s University Belfast.
“However, there is inconsistent evidence on the association between poor oral health and specific types of gastrointestinal cancers, which is what our research aimed to examine,” explains Dr. Jordão, the lead author of the study.
Her study looked at a group of over 469,000 people in the United Kingdom to see any association between oral health conditions and the risk of a number of gastrointestinal cancers including liver, colon, rectum and pancreatic cancer.
In 13 percent of the participants, 4,069 who developed gastrointestinal cancer over a six-year period reported poor oral health.
Those with poor oral health were more likely to be younger, female and living in poor neighborhoods. They consumed less than two portions of fruit and vegetables a day on average.
Males are more at risk of developing hepatocellular carcinoma, a type of liver cancer that is more common in people with cirrhosis, a condition when the liver has become badly scarred.
One reason is that the liver contributes to the elimination of bacteria from the human body. Dr Jordão says that when the liver is affected by diseases, such as hepatitis, cirrhosis or cancer, its function will decline and bacteria will survive for longer and therefore have the potential to cause more harm.
Another reason is that poor oral health, manifested for example in missing teeth, may tend to eat softer and potentially less nutritious foods, raising the risk of liver cancer.
Symptoms of liver cancer include yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes (jaundice); weight loss; feeling unwell; swollen abdomen; pain in the abdomen; a lump on the right side of the abdomen; pain in the right shoulder; loss of appetite; or feeling full even after eating just small portions of food.
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Dr. Joseph D. Lim is the former Associate Dean of the College of Dentistry, University of the East; former Dean, College of Dentistry, National University; Past President and Honorary Fellow of the Asian Oral Implant Academy; Honorary Fellow of the Japan College of Oral Implantologists; and Honorary Life Member of the Thai Association of Dental Implantology. For questions on dental health, e-mail jdlim2008@gmail.com or text 0917-8591515.
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Dr. Kenneth Lester Lim, BS-MMG, DDM, MSc-OI, graduated Doctor of Dental Medicine, University of the Philippines College of Dentistry, Manila, 2011; Bachelor of Science in Marketing Management, De la Salle University, Manila, 2002; and Master of Science (MSc.) in Oral Implantology, Goethe University, Frankfurt, Germany, 2019. He is an Associate professor; Fellow, International Congress of Oral Implantologists; Member, American Academy of Implant Dentistry and Philippine College of Oral Implantologists. For questions on dental health, e-mail limdentalcenter@gmail.com/PN
