Exploring the Links Between Chronic Periodontitis and Oral Cancer: An Update

Oral carcinoma is a major public health concern worldwide due to its increasing mortality. Apart from alcohol consumption, tobacco and arecanut chewing, other risk factors for oral cancer include chronic infection and inflammation, poor nutritional status, chronic trauma to the oral soft tissues etc. Studies have also found that the risk of developing oral cancer may increase with periodontal diseases like periodontitis. Chronic periodontitis is a multifactorial, inflammatory disease of the periodontium primarily caused by the pathogenic microorganisms present in dental plaque biofilm, ultimately resulting in loss of the tooth. An induction of carcinoma by such chronic inflammatory disease appears possible since the involved inflammatory mediators and bacterial toxins in the disease have shown to have a potential for transformation into malignancy. Therefore, establishing a connection between chronic periodontitis and oral carcinoma would be of great interest. Moreover, it seems judicious to take measures to improve oral hygiene in order to minimize the cancer risks. This further intensifies the need for oral health education programs to educate individuals about the importance of maintaining a good oral hygiene for the prevention of other oral diseases as well as systemic conditions.