Good Oral Health May Play Role in Good Colon Health

HARRISBURG, Pa., March 1, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- During Colon Cancer Awareness Month in March, James Bramson, D.D.S., chief dental officer for United Concordia Dental, wants to emphasize the role good oral health may play in good colon health.

"A recent study of 35,000 people in England revealed that the bacteria responsible for gum disease could be a 'pre-curser' for the development of colon cancer," said Dr. Bramson. "While more research is needed to determine the extent of any association between the two, the research suggests the bacteria could play a role."

In a recent study, researchers at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and the Broad Institute in America found unusually high amounts of the bacteria associated with periodontal disease in nine colorectal tumor samples.

"A lot of research exists associating periodontal disease, commonly known as gum disease, to a number of medical conditions such as heart disease, stroke, diabetes and premature or low birth weight infants," said Bramson. "This study helps us continue to learn more about the overall body connection that exists between a person's oral and overall health. Certainly, this does not suggest a causal relationship, but it further helps grow the science behind what we know about periodontal health and a person's general health."

To learn more about dental health, visit United Concordia's Smile for Health learning center, which features a variety of topics on oral health, including how to floss and brush, preventing tooth decay and information on how what you eat affects your teeth, or for more dental health information visit www.UnitedConcordia.com and click on Dental Health Center.

SOURCE United Concordia Dental

WANT YOUR COMPANY'S NEWS FEATURED ON PRNEWSWIRE.COM?

440k+
Newsrooms &
Influencers

9k+
Digital Media
Outlets

270k+
Journalists
Opted In

GET STARTED