- A study from the University of Birmingham, in the United Kingdom, finds that periodontal disease is associated with the development of a range of serious health issues.
- These include mental health conditions, autoimmune diseases, cardiovascular disease, and cardiometabolic disease.
- With gum health problems affecting many adults, links to these other conditions are especially concerning.
According to the
Now, a study from researchers in the U.K. reports that the impact of periodontal disease may extend well beyond the mouth, increasing the risk of a range of serious health conditions.
The study finds that poor gum health is associated with a rise in mental health conditions, as well as autoimmune, cardiovascular, and cardiometabolic diseases.
The CDC notes that nearly half,
As the study’s co-first author, Dr. Joht Singh Chandan, explains in a press release:
“When oral ill-health progresses, it can lead to a substantially reduced quality of life. However, until now, not much has been known about the association of poor oral health and many chronic diseases, particularly mental ill-health. Therefore, we conducted one of the largest epidemiological studies of its kind to date, using U.K. primary care data to explore the association between periodontal disease and several chronic conditions.”
To gauge the non-dental health effects of periodontal disease and its initial phase, gingivitis, the researchers identified a cohort of 64,379 adults in the country with gum health problems, as noted in the records of a general practitioner (GP).
The average age of the cohort was 45 years, 43% of the group were male, and 30% were smokers. Each individual’s health was tracked for an average of 3.4 years.
The researchers assessed the risk of developing additional health problems by comparing the cohort’s medical histories with those of a demographically matched control group of 251,161 people without periodontal disease.
The results appear in BMJ Open.
The most pronounced association in the study’s analysis was between periodontal disease and mental health conditions, such as anxiety and depression, which developed in 37% of those with gum disease.
Co-study author and periodontal specialist Dr. Devan Raindi suggested to Medical News Today that “It could be postulated that the consequences of periodontitis, which included halitosis (bad breath), drifting of teeth, mobility of teeth, and ultimately tooth loss, would have a psychosocial impact on an individual.”
He added:
“This can lead to loss of confidence, ability to socialize, as well as functional issues [relating to eating and pain]. However, it is important to remember that there is a multifactorial element to the development of mental health issues, and we are, of course, focusing on just one, albeit potentially modifiable, aspect.”
Autoimmune diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis, type 1 diabetes, arthritis, and psoriasis, developed in 33% of the cohort.
To explain the link between gum disease and autoimmune conditions, Dr. Raindi gave an example. “One mechanism that links rheumatoid arthritis and periodontitis looks at the post-translation changes in proteins caused by enzymes produced by P. gingivalis, a periodontal pathogen. This change is known as
In addition, the study identified an 18% increased risk of developing cardiovascular disease, a 26% greater risk of developing type 2 diabetes, and a 7% higher risk of developing other cardiometabolic disorders in the cohort with gum disease.
But could common factors cause both periodontal disease and the other conditions in the study? Dr. Raindi said:
“The first thing I would say here is that we are not suggesting causal relationship for any of the outcomes, rather an association which, I think, is important to separate.”
He continued, “My understanding in relation to common factors here is that the study accounted for potential confounders, such as age, sex, smoking status,
Considering that the study grouped together people with gingivitis and more advanced periodontal disease, MNT asked Dr. Chandan whether the results indicate that the development of any level of gum disease could lead to increased health risks. He replied:
“It is difficult to know this for sure, as in some cases periodontal disease can be chronic, but you are right: In numerous cases, gingivitis may improve. However, in this study, we could not be sure of the length of timeframe of the initial periodontal disease.”
“So yes,” said Dr. Chandan, “it does appear that even simply developing a periodontal disease which then gets recorded by the GP is a risk factor.”
Plaque — a sticky substance that contains bacteria — builds up on teeth. If it is not brushed away, the bacteria can irritate the gums.
The gums may then become swollen, sore, or infected; this is referred to as gingivitis.
In general, gum disease can be treated or prevented by maintaining a good oral health regime.
However, if it is left to develop, it can result in periodontitis, which weakens the supporting structures of the teeth.
Gum disease, which is also called periodontal disease, is widespread. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC),
The mechanisms behind periodontal disease are relatively well-understood, and newer research shows that this health problem may play a role in the development of a number of other conditions, including Alzheimer’s disease, cancer, and respiratory disease.
In this Spotlight, we will cover some of the surprising links between gum disease and disparate health issues.
Although spatially the gums are near the brain, one wouldn’t normally associate dental complaints with neurological conditions.
However, some studies have found a link between periodontal disease and tooth loss and cognitive function. One
Source: Medical News Today
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