Gum Disease Germs Could Help Trigger Cancer
By Dennis Thompson HealthDay Reporter
THURSDAY, Sept. 26, 2024 -- Bacteria that causes gum disease can also raise a person’s risk of head and neck cancers, a new study says.
More than a dozen bacterial species have been linked to a collective 50% increased risk of head and neck cancer, researchers found.
“Our results offer yet another reason to keep up good oral hygiene habits,” said co-senior author Dr. Richard Hayes, a professor of population health at NYU School of Medicine in New York City. “Brushing your teeth and flossing may not only help prevent periodontal disease, but also may protect against head and neck cancer.”
Some of these microbes have been shown to contribute to serious gum infections that can eat away at the jawbone and the soft tissues that surround teeth, researchers noted.
For the study, researchers analyzed data from three ongoing research projects tracking nearly 160,000 Americans from across the country, all looking into potential risk factors for cancer.
As part of the research, participants all provided saliva samples that showed the number and types of bacteria living in their mouths.
In this study, researchers tracked the people for 10 to 15 years, to record the development of any cancers. During that time, 236 patients were diagnosed with head and neck cancer.
The research team compared the mouth microbes of head and neck cancer patients to those of another 458 people who hadn’t developed cancer.
Overall, 13 bacterial species were shown to either raise or lower risk of head and neck cancer, creating a combined overall increased risk of 30%, results show.
When combined with five other bacterial species often seen in gum disease, the overall risk increased by 50%, the researchers added.
The new study was published Sept. 26 in the journal JAMA Oncology.
“Our findings offer new insight into the relationship between the oral microbiome and head and neck cancers,” said lead researcher Soyoung Kwak, a postdoctoral fellow with the NYU School of Medicine’s Department of Population Health. “These bacteria may serve as biomarkers for experts to flag those at high risk.”
The study found no increased risk of cancer from naturally occurring fungi in the mouth, researchers noted.
Sources
- NYU School of Medicine, news release, Sept. 26, 2024
Disclaimer: Statistical data in medical articles provide general trends and do not pertain to individuals. Individual factors can vary greatly. Always seek personalized medical advice for individual healthcare decisions.

© 2025 HealthDay. All rights reserved.
Posted September 2024
Read this next
Gun Violence Leads To Skipped Dental Visits, Lost Teeth
TUESDAY, April 15, 2025 -- Gun violence is bad for dental health, a new study says. More specifically, people are less likely to go to the dentist in neighborhoods with higher...
Utah Becomes First State to Ban Community Water Fluoridation
FRIDAY, March 28, 2025 -- With a new law, signed by Gov. Spencer Cox on March 27, Utah has become the first U.S. state to ban the addition of fluoride to public drinking water...
Makers Drag Feet Reporting Medical Device Side Effects: Study
TUESDAY, March 18, 2025 -- Other people could be having problems with the same insulin pump, dental implant or glucose monitor that you use -- and you might not find out in a...
More news resources
- FDA Medwatch Drug Alerts
- Daily MedNews
- News for Health Professionals
- New Drug Approvals
- New Drug Applications
- Drug Shortages
- Clinical Trial Results
- Generic Drug Approvals
Subscribe to our newsletter
Whatever your topic of interest, subscribe to our newsletters to get the best of Drugs.com in your inbox.