Worse Oral Health in People with Stomach Precancers
February 1, 2012

By Nancy Volkers
InteliHealth News Service

INTELIHEALTH -- People with stomach problems that can turn into cancer have worse oral health than those with healthy stomachs, say researchers.

Scientists from the New York University College of Dentistry did the study. It included 91 people. All of them received an endoscopy of the upper part of the digestive system. In an endoscopy, a doctor inserts a flexible tube down into the throat. A tiny camera on the end of the tube allows the doctor to see inside the stomach.

People in the study answered questions about their brushing and flossing habits. Each person also had an oral exam. Dentists looked for cavities, fillings and signs of periodontal disease.

The endoscopies found 41 precancerous areas. People with precancerous areas were more likely to say they didn't floss their teeth than people with healthy stomachs. People with precancers also had more areas of bleeding gums.

Precancerous stomach problems are found more often in older adults, smokers and people who don't eat enough fruit. Several studies also have found a link between tooth loss and stomach cancer.

The new study appears in the January 2 issue of the journal Carcinogenesis.