Periodontal disease, or gum disease, is an inflammation of the gums due to the overgrowth of harmful bacteria in the mouth. Periodontal disease usually results from poor oral hygiene or a dry mouth. Inflammation of the gums allows the harmful bacteria in the mouth to enter the bloodstream and cause disease in other parts of the body.
Heart Disease
Toothbrushing frequency is linked to cardiovascular disease and indicators of inflammation in the blood, according to a study reported in the May 2010 British Medical Journal. Improving oral hygiene to reduce periodontal disease may reduce this risk. Other studies have also found a relationship between heart disease and gum disease, Medline Plus says. When gum disease spreads throughout the body, it causes inflammation in the blood vessels resulting in a buildup of arterial plaque that clogs the arteries. Strokes can also result. More studies are needed to confirm this link, notes Medline Plus.
Premature Birth
Periodontal disease is linked with premature birth and low birth weight, warns the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, or CDC. Expectant mothers with gum disease are at two to eight times the risk of these complications than those without gum disease. The impact on infant health and death is dramatic, the CDC says. It is suspected that infectious bacteria in the mouth resulting from periodontal disease spread to the fetus, resulting in increased risk for premature birth. Research showed treatment of gum disease during pregnancy reduced this risk.
Cancer
Periodontal disease increases the risk of cancer, according to a study published in the June 2008 journal Lancet Oncology. The study found a small but significant overall risk of developing cancer in non-smokers, and an increased risk of overall cancers and lung cancer in smokers. Subjects with periodontal disease in this study had severe disease that resulted in loss of bone surrounding the teeth. Risk of cancer was greater for those with fewer teeth.
Diabetes
People with both diabetes and periodontal disease suffer from more severe diabetes as a result of the effects of periodontal infection that spreads through the body, according to the CDC. Treatment of periodontal disease that included antibiotics reduced blood sugar levels. More studies are needed to determine if this reduction in blood sugar will reduce complications of diabetes, such as vision problems and kidney disease.
References
- Medline Plus: Toothbrushing May Stave Off Heart Woes
- Mayo Clinic: Oral health: A Window To Your Overall Health
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Potential Impact of Maternal Periodontitis on Reproductive Outcomes
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Diabetes and Periodontal Disease: Current Concepts
- Pubmed Central: Periodontal Disease, Tooth Loss and Cancer Risk ...
