Open AccessPoor periodontal health: A cancer risk?
Author(s) -
K S Rajesh,
Deepak Thomas,
Shashikanth Hegde,
Manoj Kumar
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
journal of indian society of periodontology (print)/journal of indian society of periodontology (online)
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.309
H-Index - 28
eISSN - 0975-1580
pISSN - 0972-124X
DOI - 10.4103/0972-124x.124470
Subject(s) - periodontitis , carcinogenesis , chronic periodontitis , cancer , inflammation , medicine , immunology , virus , anaerobic bacteria , biology , bacteria , dentistry , genetics
Evidence indicates that chronic infections and inflammation are associated with increased risk of cancer development. There has also been considerable evidence that proves the interrelationship between bacterial and viral infections and carcinogenesis. Periodontitis is a chronic oral infection thought to be caused by gram-negative anaerobic bacteria in the dental biofilm. Periodontal bacteria and viruses may act synergistically to cause periodontitis. Many studies have shown that periodontal pockets may act as reservoirs for human papilloma virus, cytomegalovirus, Epstein Barr virus, and suspected agents associated with oral cancer. Periodontitis, characterized by epithelial proliferation and migration, results in a chronic release of inflammatory cytokines, chemokines, growth factors, prostaglandins, and enzymes, all of which are associated with cancer development. This review article intends to shed light on the association between periodontal health and carcinogenesis.