Not brushing your teeth properly could triple your chances of getting pancreatic cancer, according to groundbreaking research from NYU School of Medicine.
The latest findings show that bacteria and fungi lurking in your mouth can actually travel to your pancreas through saliva, dramatically increasing cancer risk.
The massive study followed 122,000 people over eight years and pinpointed exactly which mouth bugs have deleterious effects on the body.
"It is clearer than ever that brushing and flossing your teeth may not only help prevent periodontal disease but may also protect against cancer," Dr Richard Hayes from the research team wrote in JAMA Oncology.
The scientists identified three particularly dangerous mouth bacteria
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This discovery could transform how we think about the disease, described by Pancreatic Cancer UK as "the deadliest common cancer".
The researchers gathered oral samples from participants across two major American health studies - the American Cancer Society's nutrition cohort and a national cancer screening trial.
People simply rinsed with mouthwash and provided samples, which scientists then analysed over the following years.
Of the 122,000 participants, 445 went on to develop pancreatic cancer. These cases were matched with 445 people who stayed cancer-free for comparison. The average participant was 67 years old, with just over half being men.
What's fascinating is how the study tracked these harmful mouth bacteria making their way to the pancreas through something as simple as swallowing saliva - showing just how connected our oral health is to our overall wellbeing.
The scientists identified three particularly dangerous mouth bacteria: P gingivalis, E nodatum, and P micra - all linked to higher pancreatic cancer risk.
But it wasn't just bacteria causing problems. The fungus Candida stood out as especially worrying, showing strong connections to cancer development.
The research team's wider scan found 13 types of oral bacteria that increased cancer risk, while eight others actually seemed to offer protection.
"Oral bacteria and fungi were significant risk factors for pancreatic cancer development," the authors concluded.
It's remarkable that something as simple as the bugs in your mouth could have such a massive impact on whether you develop this devastating disease.
This breakthrough could help doctors spot people at high risk of pancreatic cancer early, potentially saving lives through personalised prevention plans.
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Pancreatic cancer has some of the worst survival rates
| GETTYIt's particularly important because pancreatic cancer has one of the worst survival rates - largely because it's usually caught too late.
The symptoms are also frustratingly vague, including yellowing skin or eyes, itchy skin, darker urine and paler poo. You might also lose your appetite, drop weight unexpectedly, feel constantly tired or run a temperature.
Stomach pain that gets worse when lying down, back pain, bloating, nausea and changes in bowel habits are other warning signs.
As the latest findings underscore, brushing and flossing aren't just a matter of fresh breath; they could literally save your life.
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