For
IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Inflammation
May Link Gum Disease and Other Illnesses
Chronic
inflammation suspected in the link between gum disease and other diseases
Brush after every meal. Floss daily. See your
dental professional regularly. These instructions make sense coming from your
dentist to help you keep your teeth and gums healthy. But now not only
dentists, but also many physicians understand the importance of maintaining
oral health in an effort to keep the rest of the body healthy. Several research
studies have suggested a potential association between gum disease and other
health issues, including heart disease, stroke and diabetes. As more and more
research reinforces the connection between periodontal and systemic health,
scientists are beginning to shift their focus to understanding why these connections exist. One theory
points to chronic inflammation as the culprit.
Inflammation is the body’s instinctive reaction to
fight off infection, guard against injury or shield against irritation.
Inflammation is often characterized by swelling, redness, heat and pain around
the affected area. While inflammation initially intends to heal the body, over
time, chronic inflammation can lead to dysfunction of the infected tissues, and
therefore more severe health complications.
According to Dr Leonard Fabre BDS, MSc.Med[PM]
Grad. Dip. Clin.Dent [Perio],
periodontal disease is a classic example of an inflammatory disorder. “For many
years, dental professionals believed that gum disease was solely the result of a
bacterial infection caused by a build-up of plaque between the teeth and under
the gums. While plaque accumulation is still a factor in the development and
progression of gum disease, researchers now suspect that the more severe
symptoms, namely swollen, bleeding gums; recession around the gum line, and
loss of the bone that holds the teeth in place, may be caused by the chronic
inflammatory response to the bacterial infection, rather than the bacteria
itself.”
Scientists hypothesize that this inflammatory
response may be the cause behind the periodontal-systemic health link. Many of
the diseases associated with periodontal disease are also considered to be
systemic inflammatory disorders, including cardiovascular disease, diabetes,
rheumatoid arthritis, chronic kidney disease and even certain forms of cancer,
suggesting that inflammation itself may be the basis for the connection.
“More research is needed to pinpoint the precise
biological mechanisms responsible for the relationship between gum disease and
other disease states,” says Dr Fabre. “However, previous findings have
indicated that gum disease sufferers are at a higher risk for other diseases,
making it more critical than ever to maintain periodontal health in order to
achieve overall health.”
Dr Fabre recommends comprehensive daily oral care,
including regular brushing and flossing, and routine visits to the dentist to
avoid gum disease. If gum disease develops, a consultation with a dental professional,
with extra training in oral health and periodontics can lead to effective
treatment. For more information on the role of inflammation in oral health,
tips on how to prevent or treat gum disease, to find out if you are at risk,
visit www.perio.org.
About
the American Academy of Periodontology
The American Academy of Periodontology (AAP) is
the professional organization for periodontists and dental practitioners – researching prevention, diagnosis, and
treatment of diseases affecting the gums and supporting structures of
the teeth, and in the placement of dental implants.
The AAP has 8,000 members world-wide.
Dr Fabre is an international member of the AAP.