The relationship between periodontal disease and oral cancer

Abstract

Objective: The aim of this article was to review the extant literature about possible mechanisms for a relationship between periodontal disease and oral cancer. Material and Methods: A search was performed using PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science for articles published through April 2016. The articles showed evidence supporting the role of periodontal disease in carcinogenesis. Results: The relationship between periodontal disease and oral cancer is based on the release of inflammatory mediators and periodontopathogens from periodontal pockets to healthy sites via the blood and saliva, thereby changing the host's epigenetic patterns. Consequently, these changes in gene expression can inhibit genetic regions related to tumor suppression, cell growth, DNA repair, intracellular binding, and inhibition of metastasis, among other processes. Conclusion: There is sufficient biological evidence to support the relationship between periodontal disease and oral cancer; however, more studies are needed to evaluate the impact of this relationship on patients