Study links periodontal disease to higher incidence of breast cancer

With so many studies coming out about the importance of avoiding bad breath and keeping one's mouth clean, many experts are saying that effective oral care is crucial as a preventive measure. One recent study indicated that poor dental health may indicate a higher risk of breast cancer.

Research conducted at the Karolinska Institutet in Sweden found that women with periodontal disease had the highest chance of being diagnosed with breast cancer.

While the study's authors did not indicate a direct relationship between the two conditions, they said that periodontitis increases the amount of harmful bacteria in the mouth and bloodstream.

Over time, microbial infections of the gums can wear away the bone tissue in which teeth are rooted. This process causes halitosis, tooth loss and severe gingivitis. The presence of odor-causing microorganisms, which digest food particles and emit the smell associated with bad breath, is an indication that one's oral health is in decline.

By using an oral care probiotic product to replace harmful bacteria with more productive varieties, individuals with bad breath can leave their mouths smelling pleasant and clean.