As previously discussed in our previous blog entry, oral health has long been thought to play a key role in total body wellness, with connections being drawn to systemic health conditions such as cardiovascular disease. Now, a recent study has drawn new correlations between oral health quality and another deadly disease: pancreatic cancer.
According to a study by Hayes et al1 in JAMA Oncology, harmful bacteria living in the mouth can increase the risk of pancreatic cancer compared to those with healthier oral biomes.2 Specifically, a naturally occurring yeast called candida may play an important role in the development of pancreatic cancer, as microbes can be transported to the pancreas from the mouth through saliva.2
In the study, researchers extracted saliva samples from participants after having all of them rinse with mouthwash to avoid any cross contamination. 445 of these participants were pancreatic cancer patients, and the other 445 were randomly selected participants with no history of pancreatic cancer.2 In the end, 24 species of bacteria and fungi were identified that either increased or decreased the risk of pancreatic cancer, and another 3 that had already been linked to certain types of gum infections and periodontal disease.2 All in all, the risk of pancreatic cancer in the presence of these identified microorganisms increased 3 times compared to those patients without them, and, while a direct link cannot be drawn to state causation, there is certainly a correlation present between these microbes and pancreatic cancer development.2
Oral health, while always essential, continues to grow in importance to protect not only your smile, but your overall wellness as well. While researchers continue to identify new connections between various types of cancer, oral bacteria, and even oral viruses, good dental hygiene practices have never been more important! Lose or failing teeth as a result of poor oral health care may prove limiting when it comes to eating foods and keeping up with your nutrition, something that can certainly affect not only your physical wellbeing, but your emotional and mental health as well. Modern surgical techniques, such as dental implants, can help boost your overall wellness by allowing you to once again feel confident in your smile AND allowing you to eat the foods you love that will provide the most benefit for your health.
How Can You Optimize Your Oral Health
So, as the dental patient, what can you do to ensure to optimize and maintain your oral health? Make sure to brush twice daily, floss once daily, pay your dental professional routine visits for checkups at 3-6 month intervals, and doing what is necessary to ensure a healthy smile may just save your life! It is about more than protecting against embarrassing bad breath. It is about protecting your health as a whole.
If you are looking to get your smile back on track with dental implants or even full mouth restorations, Dr. Polyakov and his expert team are here to help. Contact our office today and get your oral health, and overall wellness, headed in the right direction for a lifetime of smiles!
- Meng Y, Wu F, Kwak S, et al. Oral Bacterial and Fungal Microbiome and Subsequent Risk for Pancreatic Cancer. JAMA Oncol. Published online September 18, 2025. doi:10.1001/jamaoncol.2025.3377
- Pancreatic cancer risk linked to oral bacteria, gum disease. DailyMail. Accessed October 8, 2025. https://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-15110035/pancreatic-cancer-oral-bacteria-gum-disease.html?ito=native_share_article-nativemenubutton
