Increased cancer risk

The study looked at the cases of breast cancer in more than seventy thousand women over almost seven years and identified that those that had periodontal disease, also known as gum disease, were fourteen per cent more likely to be diagnosed with breast cancer.

Researchers believe the link could be the result of a systemic inflammation which originates in the infected gums; they also suggest that bacteria from the mouth may enter the circulatory system through the gums which then affects the breast tissue.

However, they do state that more research is required in order to identify the specific relationship.

Speaking on the findings, lead researcher Dr Jo Freudenheim, from the Department of Epidemiology and Environmental Health at the State University of New York at Buffalo, said:

“It could be that periodontal disease means there’s kind of a general inflammation in the body.

“Inflammation is related to a number of cancers and stroke and heart disease, so it could be that chronic inflammation is causing both.