Brushing, Flossing Lowers Oral HPV Infection Risk: Study

Regularly brushing and flossing teeth can reduce the risk of oral human papillomavirus (HPV) infection, a new study has found.

Oral HPV infection is associated with about 40 to 80 percent of mouth cancers.

Researchers at School of Public Health at the University of Texas Health Sciences Center in Houston and colleagues conducted the research. In their study group, poor oral health was linked with 56 percent higher prevalence of oral HPV infection. Also, people with gum disease had 51 percent increased chances of getting the infection and people with dental problems had a 28 percent higher risk of HPV.

"Poor oral health is a new independent risk factor for oral HPV infection and, to our knowledge, this is the first study to examine this association. The good news is, this risk factor is modifiable-by maintaining good oral hygiene and good oral health, one can prevent HPV infection and subsequent HPV-related cancers," said Thanh Cong Bui, postdoctoral research fellow in the School of Public Health at the University of Texas Health Sciences Center in Houston.

The study was based on data from 3, 439 participants aged 30 to 69 years enrolled in the 2009-2010 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES).

Risk factors for oral HPV infections included being a male, smoking, using marijuana and oral sex habits.

Researchers found that the association between poor oral health and HPV infections remained even when they accounted for all the other risk factors.

The virus might gain entry into the body via ulcers, mucosal disruption, or chronic inflammation in the mouth, Bui said. However, only further studies will confirm this hypothesis.

"Although more research is needed to confirm the causal relationship between oral health and oral HPV infection, people may want to maintain good oral health for a variety of health benefits," said Bui in a news release. "Oral hygiene is fundamental for oral health, so good oral hygiene practices should become a personal habit."

According to estimates, about 7 percent of all Americans aged between 14 and 69 years have oral HPV infection and men are more likely than women to be infected with this virus. The infection has few or no symptoms, which is why people don't realize they are infected and pass it on to their partners.

The study is published in the journal Cancer Prevention Research.