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Posted on Jun 04, 2008, 8 p.m.
By Jeanelle Topping
When it comes to identifying the signs of mouth cancer, "early detection is everything", experts warn.
When it comes to identifying the signs of mouth cancer, "early detection is everything", experts warn.
A study conducted by Imperial College London found that people with gum disease are 14 per cent more likely to develop cancer.
The findings show that those affected by gum disease are 36 per cent more likely to develop lung cancer, 49 per cent more likely to develop kidney cancer, 54 per cent more likely to develop pancreatic cancer and 30 per cent more likely to develop hematologic cancers such as leukaemia.
Simon Howell, director of campaigns at the British Dental Health Foundation, advised: "If you clean your teeth and you see they're bleeding, or you have a mouth ulcer that hasn't healed or red or white patches or any changes in your mouth, visit your dentist."
According to the National Dental Survey 2008, 29 per cent of people suffer with bleeding gums.
