Connection between chronic gum disease and cancer

It has been found that men that have the chronic gum disease are at an increased risk of tongue cancer, no matter whether they smoke, according to a recent article.

Periodontal viruses and bacteria could be toxic to surrounding cells and produce changes that lead directly to oral cancer, or could indirectly contribute to cancer through inflammation, the authors note.

The gum disease periodontitis is an oral infection thought to be caused by bacteria, though recent evidence suggests the involvement of viruses as well.