Study Shows Periodontal Disease Far More Common Than Previously Believed

Study Shows Periodontal Disease Far More Common Than Previously Believed

In a study published in the online edition of the Journal of Dental Research, researchers at the CDC and the American Academy of Periodontology announced that officials have underestimated the prevalence of gum disease in the United States by as much as 50 percent.

“This study shows that periodontal disease is a bigger problem than we all thought. It is a call to action for anyone who cares about his or her oral health,” Dr. Samuel Low, professor of periodontology at the University of Florida College of Dentistry and president of the American Academy of Periodontology, said in a news release from the organization.

Since periodontal disease is known to do more than just harm the gums, these findings are quite serious. Without treatment, periodontal disease can become a gateway for serious diseases like heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and impaired kidney health, among other things.

“Given what we know about the relationship between gum disease and other diseases, taking care of your oral health isn’t just about a pretty smile. It has bigger implications for overall health, and is therefore a more significant public health problem,” Low added.

Paul Eke of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and colleagues examined the mouths of more than 450 people older than 35 years of age, finding more cases of gum disease than previous studies had. Researchers postulated that previous studies had less stringent guidelines for periodontal disease.

“Not only should you take good care of your periodontal health with daily tooth brushing and flossing, you should expect to get a comprehensive periodontal evaluation every year,” Low said.

Study Finds Men at Greater Risk for Periodontal Disease

Study Finds Men at Greater Risk for Periodontal Disease

A study recently published in the Journal of Periodontology found that men are at greater risk for developing periodontal disease due to gender-based differences in immune response.

The study’s co-author, Mark A. Reynolds, D.D.S., Ph.D., chair of the periodontics department at the University of Maryland Dental School, said that while the study concluded that males are at greater risk for periodontitis than females, the results do not support the conclusion that men are at greater risk for more rapid periodontal destruction than women.

Dr. Reynolds and his team, which included co-author, Harlan Shiau, D.D.S., D.M.Sc., conducted a systematic review of the literature (Medline, Embase, and Scopus) and a meta-analysis to estimate sex-related differences in the prevalence of periodontitis.

From 12 population surveys meeting selection criteria (representing 50,604 subjects), they found that sex exhibited a significant association with prevalence, reflecting a 9% difference between men and women (37.4% versus 28.1%, respectively), although the overall effect of sex in the meta-analysis was comparatively small (d = 0.19, 95 CI: 0.16 and 0.22).

The study’s authors concluded that the results of the review provided evidence of a higher prevalence of destructive periodontal disease in men compared to women, presumably because men may experience more harmful effects from inflammation than women and less protection from microbial pathogens, both of which would put them at higher risk for periodontal disease.

Periodontal Bacteria Linked to Respiratory Illness

Brushing Teeth As Important as Washing Hands to Avoid Respiratory Infections

Periodontal Bacteria Linked to Respiratory Illness

If you want to avoid getting a respiratory infection, be sure to wash your hands frequently, right? Simply washing hands isn’t the only way to keep respiratory infections at bay. Experts say that brushing teeth plays a major factor in avoiding respiratory infections.

According to the American Academy of Periodontology, periodontal disease of is contributing factor for respiratory diseases, noting that the bacteria that cause periodontal disease also negatively impact the immune system.

Bacterial respiratory infections are thought to be acquired through aspiration of fine droplets from the mouth and throat into the lungs. These droplets contain germs that can breed and multiply within the lungs to cause damage. Recent research suggests that bacteria found in the throat, as well as bacteria found in the mouth, can be drawn into the lower respiratory tract. This can cause infections or worsen existing lung conditions. People with respiratory diseases, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, typically suffer from reduced protective systems, making it difficult to eliminate bacteria from the lungs.

The American Academy of Periodontology reported that, “Scientists have found that bacteria that grow in the oral cavity can be aspirated into the lung to cause respiratory diseases such as pneumonia, especially in people with periodontal disease. This discovery leads researchers to believe that these respiratory bacteria can travel from the oral cavity into the lungs to cause infection.”

The bacteria that are multiplying in the mouth are not only being used as factories for the viruses but are also being breathed into the susceptible lungs.

The same care that is necessary for avoiding periodontal disease – twice daily brushing and once daily flossing – is necessary for helping to lower the risk of respiratory infections in those with periodontal disease.

Why Those With Kidney Disease Need Healthy Mouths

The link between kidney disease and poor oral health just keeps getting stronger and stronger.

A recent study published in the Journal of Periodontology (JOP), the official publication of the American Academy of Periodontology (AAP), reports that toothless adults may be more likely to have chronic kidney disease (CKD) than adults with teeth.

In the study, conducted at Case Western Reserve University, toothlessness (endentulism) was found to be significantly associated with CKD, indicating that oral care may play a role in reducing the prevalence of chronic kidney disease in the U.S. population.

Researchers at Case Western Reserve University studied 4053 adults that were at least 40 years old (most were older) to investigate the link between CKD periodontal infection, and endentulism. CKD was considered a moderate to severe reduction of kidney function.

The class for periodontal disease was wider, including those with infection but no periodontal disease, minimal loss of tooth attachment and gums that bled upon probing (indicating inflammation) and full-blown periodontal disease, as well as edentulous patients who lost their teeth because of advanced periodontal disease.

The results were astounding, indicating that those with any level of periodontal infection or disease, including those with minor gum loss, were at a increased risk for developing chronic kidney disease.

Research has also linked poor oral health with heart disease, diabetes and other life-threatening conditions.

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