Link Between Gum Disease and Oral Cancer Established!

Sun City, AZ, June 30, 2015 (Newswire.com) - A recent study published by the Case Western Reserve University in the Journal of Virology is sending significant waves through the fields of dentistry and dental health care. With the Center for Disease Control’s (CDC) shocking statistics for gum disease in this country, poor oral health could very well reach crisis point with the findings of this study, which point strongly to a relationship between gum disease and oral cancer growth.

“According to the CDC, as much as 80% of the American population suffers from gum problems indicative of gum disease,” says experienced Sun City dentist, Dr. Kevin Gasser. “Many of the patients we see to have no idea just how dire a state their oral health is in. They come in with terribly swollen, inflamed gums and ask for a teeth-whitening treatment because they think it will improve their smiles. Then we have to break the news to them that they have periodontitis and require gum disease treatment.”

What is Gum Disease?

Gum disease is a chronic bacterial infection of the gums that is brought on by poor oral hygiene (neglecting to brush and floss), a lack of routine preventative healthcare (not seeing your dentist and oral hygienist frequently enough) and poor lifestyle habits (smoking, alcohol-abuse, a poor diet, etc.) Gum disease typically presents with symptoms that include:

•    Swollen, inflamed gum tissue that has the appearance of encroaching unnaturally over the crowns of the teeth.

•    Gums that tear and bleed easily when brushing or flossing, or even when eating hard, crunchy foods.

•    Chronic bad breath and a persistent foul taste in the mouth.

•    Frequent oral lesions and sores that come and go.

•    Gums that seep pus when pressed and palpated.

•    Discolored teeth with visible build-up of plaque, tartar and other calculus on them and between them.

•    Gums that have receded from the crowns of the teeth, leaving the darker-colored and more sensitive tooth roots exposed.

•    Teeth that feel loose and eventually, without treatment, tooth loss.

It’s hard to believe that anyone might put up with the above-mentioned symptoms without seeking prompt treatment, but according to Dr. Gasser, who is also a dental implant surgeon and whose practice routinely provides gum disease treatment, most patients endure them for many months if not years.

“There is a reluctance amongst many Sun City residents to come in for dental treatment and it’s usually because they’re scared of what treatment might entail or they’re nervous of the cost. Some patients also feel ashamed of the extent to which they’ve allowed their oral health to become deteriorated,” says Dr. Gasser.

“What we want absolutely everyone to know is that a good dentist never, ever casts judgment upon his or her patients. We are here to help you achieve better oral health and a more confident smile. It’s imperative that you seek immediate professional attention should you present with any of the symptoms characteristic of gum disease.”

This was true before the findings of the Case Western Reserve University, but now, with the threat of oral cancer looming over the heads of Sun City residents whose oral hygiene leaves much to be desired, there is an even greater urgency to get treated.

The Findings of the Study

The case study scrutinized the saliva of 21 different patients, 10 of which were in good oral health and had an average age of 26 and 11 of which had been diagnosed with severe periodontitis (gum disease) and were an average of 50 years.

The research team analyzed many different aspects related to the participants saliva, but were particularly interested in the waste products of two oral bacteria that share a known link with gum disease: Fusobacterium nucleatum and Porphyromonas gingivalis. The 11 patients who had been diagnosed with gum disease had large numbers of these two oral bacteria in their mouths.

What was found was that the waste products of these two bacteria contain certain fatty acids that may be responsible for causing Kaposi’s sarcoma, which are cancerous oral tumors and lesions.

The Benefits of the Study

While this discovery holds chilling inferences for Sun City residents with chronic gum problems, it also holds several advantages, most notably the early detection of potential cancerous growths via a simple and totally painless saliva test. By performing an oral swab, dentists can detect the presence of these particularly nasty bacteria and, if their numbers are high, the patient could be treated for any signs of cancer before the disease has a chance to become malignant.

The study has particularly positive outcomes for patients with HIV, because of their increased vulnerability to infection. In its beginning stages, KS appears as welts or lesions in the soft oral tissues. Without any kind of treatment, these can develop into aggressive cancerous tumors, which really brings home the need for good oral hygiene and a healthy lifestyle.

“When it comes to oral cancer treatment, early detection is absolutely key to helping the patient make a full and successful recovery,” says gum disease treatment dentist, Dr. Kevin Gasser. “This is why we urge patients to come in for a standard check-up at least once per year. And if you have been diagnosed with gum problems in the past, you should see your dentist and oral hygienist twice a year, if not more often.”

About Sun City Dentist, Dr. Kevin Gasser

Dr. Kevin Gasser is an experienced dental implant surgeon, who serves several communities in Arizona. He has been in private practice as a general, cosmetic and dental implant dentist for more than 25 years now and is regarded by patients and peers alike as a leader in the field of restorative dentistry and gum disease treatment. Dr. Gasser offers patients the full spectrum of dental services in one office and is trained in the latest dental implant procedures, such as the “All-on-4” for full mouth reconstruction.

Contact Dr. Kevin Gasser at Gasser Dental Implant Center

The Gasser Dental Implant Center is located in Sun City, Arizona, inside Bell Plaza.

Kevin L. Gasser, D.D.S.
17220 North Boswell Boulevard Suite 200w,
Sun City, AZ 85373
Phone: (623) 972-8217
Fax: (623) 972-1406
Website - http://www.drgasser.com/