Does the presence of certain mouth bacteria indicate pancreatic cancer? While there is not an undeniable link, there is a strong suggestion that two types of bacteria in the oral microbiome are associated with pancreatic cancer. Similarly, these same two types of bacteria, porphyromonas gingivalis and aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans, are also linked to periodontitis, a serious gum infection that damages gums and can destroy the jawbone.

In 2015, pancreatic cancer was the cause of over 40,000 deaths in the United States. The symptoms often go undetected allowing the cancer to invade other vital organs such as the stomach, liver, or gallbladder.

Pancreatic cancer is seen more often in individuals that are:

• Between the ages of 60 – 80
• African American
• Men
• Obese

Diet, smoking, chronic pancreatitis and family history may also be indicators of the predisposition to develop pancreatic cancer.

To read more about pancreatic cancer and its association with oral bacteria, check out Oral Bacteria Linked to Pancreatic Cancer on DentistryIQ.com and Oral Bacteria May Signal Risk For Pancreatic Cancer on Colgate.com.

The surgeons at Northwest Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery are Diplomates of the American Board of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery. They specialize in wisdom teeth extractions, dental implant preparation and placement, oral pathology, bone grafting, corrective jaw surgery and oral/facial trauma.  For more information about Northwest Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery, please visit texasoralsurgery.com.