Gum disease could kickstart neck cancer

Bacteria in the mouth could be causing head and neck cancer.

Around a dozen types of bacteria in the mouth could increase the chances of the cancers by around 50 percent, say researchers from NYU Langone Health.

The bacteria are associated with periodontal disease, serious gum infection that can eat away at the jawbone and the soft tissue that surrounds teeth.

Although the mouth contains more than a hundred different bacteria, just 13 seem to increase the risk of the cancers.  Researchers isolated the bacteria after taking DNA samples from 236 cancer patients and comparing them with samples taken from 458 healthy people.

“Brushing your teeth and flossing may not only help prevent periodontal disease, but may also protect against head and neck cancer,” said Richard Hayes, one of the researchers.

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