Gum disease is more common than you may think, but it is increasingly being linked to more than just tooth loss and/or decay. There is an increasing body of evidence now linking the gum disease to other health factors.
Most people know the importance of brushing your teeth to remove plaque and cleaning interdentally with floss or brushes to maintain good oral health. But those that don’t may find that their gums become swollen and irritated and may even bleed. This is commonly referred to as gingivitis, and if left untreated can lead to gum disease or periodontal disease.
Outside of the obvious tooth loss and decay there is a growing body of evidence that now links periodontal disease to other health issues.
While your brain is situated close to your mouth, neurological conditions are not something that you would normally associate with your teeth. However, a number of studies have linked tooth loss with reduced cognitive function. One such study published in the US National Library of Medicine, followed 597 men over a period of more than 30 years and concluded that, “Risk of cognitive decline in older men increases as more teeth are lost. Periodontal disease and caries, major reasons for tooth loss, are also related to cognitive decline.”
Other studies have similarly linked the prevalence of the bacteria porphyromonas gingivalis to both cases of periodontal disease as well as in the brains of individuals with Alzheimer’s.
The heart and gingivitis are perhaps a more widely researched topic. Much of this can be related to lifestyle choice, as both smokers and heavy drinkers are increasingly likely to have both cardiovascular issues as well as poor oral health.
Whether gum disease in isolation is a driving risk factor for heart disease is still being discussed, but there are some theories as to how the two might be related.
Some follow a route that pathogens cause inflammation and irritation of the gums. It has been theorised that this inflammation over an extended period can cause damage to other tissues and organs, and the heart in particular. Other theories relate health problems to bacteria in the mouth. These can enter the blood stream via the gingival tissue and in turn cause internal organ damage.
Again p. gingivalis is the most commonly found bacterial species in the coronary artery.
Finally, there has been a reported increase in the risk of cancer. A recent 10-year study conducted at the University of Helsinki reported a link between periodontal disease and cancer. The study tracked data from over 68,000 men and while the association was small, it was still deemed to “signify a significant, increase in overall cancer risk.”
A follow up study published in the journal Nature went on to relate this the prevalence of another bacteria, treponema denticola and suggested that it was this bacteria that was activating other enzymes and promoting the prevalence of cancerous tissues.
In conclusion, we still do not know what links poor oral care to heart, brain, and cancer issues. But we do know that gingivitis and gum disease are easily preventable with a good oral hygiene routine, and that managing any signs of oral disease at an early stage may prevent a range of more serious health problems.
This article was written by Brilliant Brands Ltd., a Sales and Marketing Agency based in the UK but with expertise within the Dental and Medical markets across Europe.
- J Am Geriatr Soc. 2010 Apr;58(4):713-8. Tooth loss and periodontal disease predict poor cognitive function in older men. Kaye EK1, Valencia A, Baba N, Spiro A 3rd, Dietrich T, Garcia RI.
- I.J.C. Periodontitis and cancer mortality: Register‐based cohort study of 68,273 adults in 10‐year follow‐up 11 January 2018 https://doi.org/10.1002/ijc.31254 Cited by: 11 Pia Heikkilä Anna But Timo Sorsa Jari Haukka