Gum Disease May Raise the Risk of Gastric Cancer by 25%: Large Study Indicates
A substantial epidemiological investigation conducted in Sweden suggests that individuals suffering from periodontitis, commonly known as gum disease, face a heightened risk of developing gastric cancer, with estimates indicating an increase of around 11 % for general gastric cancer and up to 25 % for cancer located in the gastric cardia (upper part of the stomach). The study followed 5.8 million Swedish adults aged 19 and older who had dental visits between 2009 and 2016, tracking them for an average of 6.4 years. During that period, 3,993 participants were diagnosed with gastric cancer, including 1,241 cases at the cardia region.
What makes this analysis notably robust is its use of sibling-controlled comparisons, designed to control for shared genetic factors and early-life environmental influences. This method strengthens the evidence that the association between periodontal disease and gastric cancer is not simply due to familial risks or early shared exposures.
The authors also observed a dose-response relationship: individuals who had more extensive tooth loss (fewer teeth remaining) faced progressively increased rates of gastric cancer. However, the presence of both periodontal disease and tooth loss did not appear to produce an additive effect beyond what one might expect from each factor independently.
Unlike prior studies, which often struggled with small sample sizes or retrospective designs, this investigation leveraged nationwide linked dental and health records. The scale and methodological design lend greater weight to the hypothesis that maintaining good oral hygiene may do more than just protect teeth—it could contribute to lowering cancer risk.
The researchers conclude that public health initiatives promoting oral health are not only relevant for preventing dental diseases, but could also carry benefits in reducing systemic disease burden, including stomach cancer. They recommend further research to uncover the biological mechanisms behind this link and to evaluate whether interventions in periodontal disease might reduce cancer risk.
📖 Original Article Information
“Gum disease may increase gastric cancer risk by 25 per cent, study finds”
Oral Health Group, published 08 May 2025