New Research Links Poor Oral Health to HPV

You probably know by now that your mouth is host to billions of bacteria, both of which are by turns beneficial and damaging. With just slight changes in the pH of your mouth which largely depends on the food you eat and oral hygiene habits, buildup of the bad bacteria may occur. A recent study even found out that people with existing oral health issues have higher risks of acquiring HPV.

Here in our Central Georgia dental practice, we are always consistent with our oral health reminders and we make it a point to lead you away from the perils of poor oral health!

Details of the Study

The study which appeared in the Cancer Prevention Research journal reported that individuals with gum disease are 51 percent more likely to acquire HPV than those who don’t have gum problems. There was a correlation found in between the number of tooth loss occurrences and HPV infection.

Specifically, there were 2 kinds of HPV infection found to commonly occur amongst those with poor oral hygiene — high risk types which could lead to oropharyngeal cancer and the low-risk types which could lead to warts and benign tumors.

The Action Plan

Here are some tips to avoid HPV and other health problems which could arise from poor oral health:

1. Brush up twice a day for approximately two minutes.

2. Floss once a day as the bristles in your toothbrush are less likely to clean the farthest corners of your mouth.

3. Chew sugar-free gums post-meals. This will help neutralize the acids in your mouth which in turn could be the breeding ground of bacteria.

4. Visit your dentist now, that is if you haven’t been to the dentist’s office in a while. Dental visits twice a year are highly recommended.

5. Feast on whole foods rather than the sugary and heavily processed food items. This will not only benefit your oral health but your overall health as well.

Visit the Central Georgia Periodontics and Dental Implants Center now if you’d like to know more about preventing serious oral health problems.  Call us at 478.923.0232 or fill out this contact request form to set up an initial consultation. We look forward to your visit!