The Hidden Link Between Gum Disease and Breast Cancer

Quick Read:

• Gum disease (periodontal disease) may increase the risk of breast cancer by contributing to systemic inflammation, bacterial migration, immune system dysfunction, and much more.
• Lesser-known causes of gum disease include stress, hormonal changes, and autoimmune diseases.
• Ozone therapy, oil pulling, daily brushing and flossing with nontoxic products, and using the NOVORAL CARE PRO are excellent ways to keep your mouth, and therefore your body, happy and healthy.

Periodontal disease, commonly known as gum disease, is a widespread condition affecting nearly 42% of adults ^[1] aged 30 and older. While many people recognize its connection to oral health issues like tooth loss, bleeding gums, and bad breath, fewer are aware of its impact on systemic diseases, including breast cancer. Some studies ^[2] point to a 14% increase of breast cancer risk, and others say it may be higher. Sadly, many doctors and dentists don’t take the time to do the detective work needed to uncover connections that could lead to better prevention or faster healing of significant diagnoses such as cancer. However, you are here to do the real work and heal from the inside out, which is why you found your way to Breast Cancer Conqueror. 

Today’s truth-finding mission is focused on digging into emerging research that suggests that gum disease (periodontal disease) may increase the risk of breast cancer by contributing to systemic inflammation, bacterial migration, immune system dysfunction, and much more. Teeth aren’t just meant to give you a bright smile; they are powerful blocks in your full-body health. 

Dr. V’s Story

What happens in your mouth doesn’t stay there. Your lymphatic system drains from your mouth directly into your breast. It’s the same with many meridian lines. For example, in Dr. V’s case, she had an infection from a cavitation that sat on her left breast meridian. This weakened her energy flow to her breast, making the area more susceptible to disease. Additionally, another tooth was getting damaged by “root resorption,” a rare autoimmune disease in which the immune system attacks the tooth and “eats” it from the inside out.

All this to say, the breast-dental connection is something you should focus on. It’s so strong that about 90% of women in our programs have suffered from adverse effects on their health due to dental toxicities and poor oral health care.

What Causes Gum Disease (Periodontal Disease)?

Periodontal disease develops when plaque, a sticky film of bacteria, accumulates on your teeth and gums. We all know that smoking and a lack of daily flossing and brushing can lead to oral health issues, but many others do not get the attention they need and deserve to keep you healthy:

• Stress. Stress triggers the release of cortisol, which weakens your immune system, making gums more susceptible to bacterial infection and inflammation. This can alter your body’s inflammatory response, leading to tissue breakdown in the gums and bone supporting the teeth. Teeth grinding, demineralization, and ionic calcium are also closely connected to your stress levels and known factors in damaging gum tissues. Please review this blog post ^[3] to learn more. 
• Hormonal changes. Stress, pregnancy, menopause, cancer treatments, certain medications, etc., can throw off your hormone balance (mainly estrogen and progesterone) and increase blood flow to your gums. This process leads to your gums becoming more sensitive to irritation from plaque and bacteria, which causes swelling, bleeding, periodontal disease, and even tooth loss. (Study ^[4])
• Autoimmune diseases. Crohn’s, Rheumatoid arthritis, Sjögren syndrome, Systemic lupus erythematosus, and many others have direct connections to periodontal disease since they weaken your immune system and trigger inflammatory responses. They also cause a decrease in saliva, which can dry out the gums and make them more susceptible to infection. (Study ^[5])

How Gum Disease Fuels Breast Cancer Development

Your oral health is directly linked to your breast health through the lymphatic and meridian systems (learn more here ^[6]). This means your teeth and gums are not isolated structures. They can NOT be drilled, filled, or treated with toxic materials without consequence. Recognizing this vital connection, we have made dental care an essential pillar of the 7 Essentials System® ^[7], a transformative approach designed to help you uncover root causes, promote healing, prevent recurrence, and truly thrive.

As awareness grows among researchers and medical professionals about the deep interconnectedness of the body, we hope to see more holistic, comprehensive treatment plans that honor the body’s innate ability to heal. Below are a few ways that periodontal disease can impact the growth of cancer. Then, please keep reading for healthy teeth, gum, and breast solutions!

The links between gum disease and breast cancer:

• Systemic Inflammation. Chronic gum disease triggers the production of inflammatory cytokines, including interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β), which is part of cancer progression. This persistent inflammation can weaken the immune system and create an environment conducive to tumor growth. Please read this blog post ^[8] to learn more about inflammation and breast cancer.
• Bacterial Invasion. Harmful oral bacteria can enter the bloodstream and spread to distant organs, including the breast, where they may contribute to cancer formation. For example, Porphyromonas gingivalis is a major culprit in gum disease and has been found in breast tumors. Atopobium is another “bad bacteria” found in vaginal and oral microbiomes—and has been found in breast cancer tissue. We also want to note that while a lot of bacteria can be harmful, some can be rather helpful. For example, Lactobacillus, found in probiotics, has strains that can be immensely beneficial to breast and gut health. 
• Impaired Immunity. Chronic infection and inflammation can suppress the immune system, reducing the body’s ability to detect and eliminate cancer cells.
• Damaged microbiome. Your body hosts about 30 trillion bacterial cells, forming what is known as microbiomes. Each one plays an essential role in your health and could be the missing link to your healing. There’s so much to say about each that we wrote separate blog posts that are must-reads: Breast Microbiome ^[9], Gut Microbiome ^[10], and specifically the parasite–cancer connection ^[11].

The Future of Research: Unraveling the Gum-Cancer Connection

The growing body of research highlighting the relationship between gum disease and breast cancer underscores the importance of oral health in dis-ease prevention. It also is a real-life reminder that breast cancer is not just about your breasts. It’s an opportunity for complete, full-body healing. 

As awareness increases, more medical professionals may begin integrating not just oral health but mind, body, and soul health into cancer prevention and healing strategies.

How to Protect Your Oral and Overall Health

YOU are in control of your health. This is something to always smile about because you have control over a lot of it! Taking proactive steps to maintain a healthy mouth can have far-reaching benefits for your overall well-being.

Here are a few of our favorite oral health hacks:

At-Home:

1. Use the NOVORAL CARE PRO ^[12] light therapy device for 5-15 minutes a day to treat receding gums and periodontal gum disease, kill bad breath and mouth bacteria, and gently whiten your teeth. Please learn more about this device and a few of my other favorite healing products via this blog post ^[13].
2. Oil Pulling. It “pulls” harmful microorganisms out of the deep pockets between teeth and gums. Oil’s chemical makeup binds toxins to it without harming teeth or gums, and many people immediately notice improvements. Gums heal, loose teeth tighten, and teeth naturally whiten. Please learn more via this blog post. ^[14]
3. Use a Hydro Floss® Irrigator ^[15] daily because it uses magnetics to get rid of bacteria from the surface of teeth. According to a study report published in the Journal of Clinical Periodontology, the Hydro Floss® irrigators can inhibit plaque 64% more effectively than other irrigators, including the popular WaterPik®.
4. Daily brushing and flossing. Of course, this is the most basic and important thing you can do. Please read this blog post ^[16] to learn about nontoxic toothpaste, floss, and other oral health products.

With your biological dentist:

1. Ozone Gas. Ask your biological dentist about Ozone gas Therapy. It can significantly reduce pocket depth (rubric for the advancement of the condition) of periodontal disease.
2. Remove Toxic Amalgams. They contain about 50% mercury, one of the most toxic poisons on the planet! Please read this blog post ^[17] on why and how to safely remove amalgams.
3. Oral Bacteria Testing. I recommend MyPerioPath® ^[18]’s saliva test as it provides a simple yet comprehensive report outlining the top five oral pathogens you currently have and the levels of each one. Ask your Biological Dentist to order this test for you. 

Now that you know better, you can do better! You don’t have to wait for more research to tell you just how important your oral health is. Take proactive steps today, like swishing around coconut oil right now!

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