Brushing your teeth might do more than keep cavities at bay—it could lower your cancer risk and boost overall health, according to a groundbreaking AIIMS Delhi study. Published in The Lancet Regional Health - Southeast Asia, the research by oncologists Dr. Abhishek Shankar and Dr. Vaibhav Sahni reveals that poor oral hygiene is tied to serious health issues, including heart disease, diabetes, Alzheimer’s, and cancers like head and neck, breast, and lung.

The study highlights how gum disease and harmful bacteria like Porphyromonas gingivalis increase cancer risk and worsen survival odds. A major analysis of over 21,000 cases showed that regular dental visits and daily brushing can reduce head and neck cancer risk. Cancer treatments, like radiotherapy, also disrupt the oral microbiome, leading to complications if oral health isn’t prioritized.

“Oral care isn’t just cosmetic—it’s critical for cancer prevention and better survivorship,” Dr. Shankar said. The CHANCE study found that a decade of routine dental checkups cut cancer mortality rates. Yet, Southeast Asia lacks robust data, prompting calls for regional research and public health action.

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The researchers advocate for supervised tooth-brushing programs for kids, citing England’s success in reducing tooth decay. “India could see similar benefits,” Dr. Sahni noted, despite challenges like economic barriers and low oral health priority. They also push for policies banning tobacco ads and sugary snack promotions to kids, alongside better nutrition labeling.

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