Why gum disease increases your risk of cancer

by: | September 13, 2015
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Dr-Oksana-Sawiak(NaturalHealth365) A person in my health network had very bad breath. From my experience with diagnosing gum disease – I suspected an advanced gum infection. Inviting her to come for a Microscopic diagnosis of her plaque to determine what kind of gum infection it was and offering to treat it met with total refusal because of a morbid fear of dentists.

Last year she died a horrible death from the cancer that started around the infected teeth.

However, oral cancer is not the only cancer that gum infections can cause. When we consider that most cancers are a result of an immune system that has “given up the fight” it is not surprising that studies are showing a link between gum disease and many types of cancer from lip, tongue and throat to pancreatic and liver cancers are on the rise.

Editor’s note: Register now for the Holistic Oral Health Summit – 34 of the world’s top experts will show you the best ways to improve oral health, prevent and reverse disease symptoms plus avoid years of unwanted pain. Register today!

Our immune system does not slip down a slope gently and give us flashing red lights as warnings

When the immune system is overpowered, it suddenly gives up, and we are faced with that catastrophic diagnosis of (for example) heart attack, diabetes, MS or cancer. This is called the “cliff effect” because it is as if our immune system fell off a cliff .

Gum disease is one of the most prevalent infections in our society. In fact, 87% of North Americans suffer from some degree of gum infection, be it gingivitis, periodontitis, periodontal pockets, bone loss, loose teeth, or halitosis (bad breath).

Most of them start with bacterial infections that cause an inflammatory response not just in the gums, but the whole body. If the C-reactive protein (a marker for inflammation) is measured in people with gum infection the reading will be elevated. And we all know, inflammation is a frequent precursor in illnesses such as heart disease, diabetes, lung disease and lately cancer of all kinds.

Gum infections are caused by parasites, namely Entamoeba Gingivalis (Amoeba) and occasionally Trichomonas Tenax (Trich)

These parasites destroy our immune system by an additional mechanism. The amoeba for instance feeds on the nucleus of the white blood cells (our anti-infection soldiers) and gets its energy by taking the hemoglobin (energy) off the red blood cell. When your defense systems are challenged, and your immunity is attacked, the body breaks down at its weakest points.

In 2007 the Harvard School of Public Health released a press release that stated that …”researchers at the Harvard School of Public Health (HSPH) and Dana-Farber Cancer Institute found that periodontal disease was associated with an increased risk of cancer of the pancreas…”

“Our study provides the first strong evidence that periodontal disease may increase the risk of pancreatic cancer. This finding is of significance as it may provide some new insights into the mechanism of this highly fatal disease,” said lead author Dominique Michaud, assistant professor of epidemiology at HSPH.

Pancreatic cancer has one of the worst prognoses of all cancers

Did you know that pancreatic cancer is the ‘fourth leading cause of cancer death in the United States?’ Interesting to note: Researchers at Harvard School of Public Health …”found that periodontal disease was associated with an increased risk of cancer of the pancreas.”

What are 5 things you can do to protect yourself?

1. Periodontal infection is “catching” just like a cold whether it is bacterial or parasitic. If your immune system is weakened or compromised by other factors such as toxins or poor nutrition, your body may not be able to ward off the infection. You will start experiencing symptoms such as bad breath, bleeding when you brush or floss, reddening and swelling and eventually periodontal pockets and tartar deposits (calculus).

2. Take care of your dental health by avoiding infections (not kissing an infected person).using proper and regular oral hygiene with products (that contain no toxins such as sodium lauryl sulfate or fluoride) and using irrigation (with natural anti-infective herbal products).

3. Practicing proper nutrition, bowel and liver hygiene, avoiding sugar, packaged foods, GMO’s, microwave ovens, getting enough sleep, exercise and water will go a long way to prevent gum disease.

4. Going to a holistically astute dental office where you can have a plaque analysis done under a microscope and if found the infection can be eliminated before your hygiene appointment, so that the hygienist is not disseminating the infection into your bloodstream when you have your “cleaning”.

5. Make yourself knowledgeable about how to take care of your health and avoid the pitfalls. Register now for the Holistic Oral Health Summit and be sure to listen to my presentation about gum disease. You won’t want to miss it!

About the author: Dr. Oksana M. Sawiak practiced family dentistry from 1966 to 2008 and for the last 30 years focused on mercury-free/biological dentistry.  Today she lectures in biologic dentistry, non-surgical natural gum treatment, pain control, wellness and detoxification and has authored 2 books. Dr. Sawiak constantly adds to her vast knowledge in order to serve her clients ever more completely. In 1989, she was the first woman in the world to achieve a Mastership in the Academy of General dentistry and in July 2011 attained her Doctor of Integrative Medicine. Dr. Sawiak practices as an Integrative Wellness Consultant at the Integrative Wellness and Detox Centre in Norval Ontario. For more information about Dr. Sawiak – visit: DrSawiak.com

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