Not taking care of dental hygiene can make you prone to cancer: research

Not brushing your teeth or not taking care of your teeth increases the risk of getting head and neck cancer.

This was revealed in a new medical study in the United States.

It has already been proven that increasing the number of gum disease-causing bacteria in the mouth increases the risk of various diseases such as diabetes and high blood pressure.

But a New York University study found a link between increased numbers of certain bacteria in the mouth and increased risk of head and neck cancer.

The study found that exposure to more than a dozen germs increased the risk of this deadly cancer by 50 per cent.

The data of more than 160,000 people were analyzed in this research.

Data on lifestyle, dietary habits and medical history of these individuals were observed and saliva samples were collected.

The health of these individuals was followed for 15 years, during that time 236 individuals were diagnosed with head and neck cancer.

The results of the research prove the importance of good oral hygiene, that is, brushing twice a day and flossing is important.

Brushing and flossing not only helps prevent gum disease, but this habit can potentially protect against head and neck cancer as well.