Gum disease caused by poor oral hygiene has been linked to pancreatic cancer in men, U.S. researchers have found. Study leader Dr. Dominique Michaud of the Harvard School of Public Health said their research provides the first strong evidence that periodontal disease can increase the risk of pancreatic cancer. The study was published in the latest issue of the Journal of the National Institutes of Health. Dr. Minaud and colleagues examined health-related information from 51,000 people collected by the Health Professions Follow-Up Study (HPFS). The results showed that men with a history of periodontal disease had a 64% higher risk of developing pancreatic cancer than men without such a history. The risk was higher in those with severe periodontitis, such as those with recent tooth loss. No clear association was found between other oral hygiene diseases such as tooth decay and pancreatic cancer. Other earlier studies have found an association between tooth loss or periodontitis and pancreatic cancer in the form of increased inflammatory markers such as C-reactive protein (CRP) in the blood of patients with periodontal disease, one of the early reactive markers of the immune system in response to ongoing inflammation, which is associated with pancreatic carcinogenesis. In this study, researchers found that the presence of carcinogenic substances in the oral cavity of patients with periodontal disease was associated with a possible risk of pancreatic cancer development. This carcinogenic substance (nitrosamines) and bacteria react with digestive substances in the GI tract to make the intestinal environment conducive to pancreatic cancer development. The significance of this study is that it emphasizes that good oral hygiene not only maintains oral health, but also reduces factors for pancreatic cancer development. Periodontitis and gingivitis are two common oral infections. Gingivitis is an infection of the soft tissues around the teeth, and persistent gingivitis will lead to periodontitis. Periodontitis invades the supporting tissues of the teeth and is also associated with alveolar bone resorption. About half of Americans over the age of 30 have periodontitis. Food debris, saliva and minerals gradually build up and form plaque on the roots of the teeth, where bacteria proliferate. The plaque hardens and thickens, forming what is called tartar or tartar, a hard, calcified layer that cannot be removed by brushing and must be treated by a dentist. Tartar also sinks into pockets in the gums around the roots of the teeth. This provides an ideal environment for bacteria to proliferate and lead to gum inflammation. Most people have mild symptoms, with bad breath, a little bleeding, and rarely painful or irritating symptoms, so early diagnosis is not easy.