Periodontal Disease As It
Relates To Other Diseases
Relationship Between Periodontal Disease and Systemic Disease
Research has shown, and experts agree, that there is an association
between periodontal disease and other chronic inflammatory conditions,
such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease and Alzheimer’s disease.
Each year, new studies point to a stronger link between periodontal
disease and systemic diseases. The presence of specific bacteria
and combinations of bacteria in periodontal pockets might be
an explanation for the relationship between periodontal disease
and acute coronary syndrome. Research suggests that managing
one disease may reduce the risk for the other. In January 2007,
US scientists also reported a link between pancreatic cancer
and gum disease.
Periodontitis
affects over 90 per cent of people over 60 years old!
Periodontal Disease Increases The
Risk For Heart Attack and Fatal Stroke. Twenty
five percent (1/4) of patients with severe periodontal disease
are at risk to suffer a heart attack or fatal stroke. A 6000
person study confirmed that periodontal disease is associated
with early signs of heart disease. Patients with moderate
or severe periodontal disease have a higher chance of thickened
carotid artery walls than those with no disease. Certain bacteria
live in the plaques that thicken the arterial walls. Patients
with severe periodontal disease had oral bacteria in over
40% of arterial plaques.
Periodontal Disease Causes Pre-Term
Low Birth Weight Babies. In a study from the University
of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Drs. Offenbacher and Beck
found female pregnant patients with periodontal disease are
5 times more likely to give birth to a pre-term low birth
weight baby. Other studies have confirmed that one out of
five babies given birth to mothers with periodontal disease
suffer from pre-term low birth weight.
Periodontal Disease May Influence
The Course Of Diabetes Mellitus. In the Compendium
(2000), Dr. Louis Rose reported a review of research on the
link between periodontal disease and diabetes. A clear relationship
has long been established between diabetes and periodontal
attachment loss. Attachment loss, and ultimately tooth loss,
is more prevalent in diabetics with periodontal disease. Evidence
now suggests that periodontal infections in individuals with
diabetes have an adverse effect on glycemic control.
Link Between Obesity And Periodontal
Disease Found. The prevalence of periodontal disease
among young obese adults (aged 18-34) was 76% higher than
that among normal weight young adults. There was also an association
found between underweight young adults and a decreased prevalence
of periodontal disease. Reasons given for the association
between obesity and periodontal disease included: less than
the recommended dietary allowance for calcium and vitamin
C, and chronic stress. These factors proved more prevalent
in this particular age group. (Case Western Reserve, 2003
as reported in the Journal of the American Dental Association).
Osteoporosis May Increase May Increase
Risk of Periodontal Loss. A study reported in the
Alpha Omega Journal found there might be a link between bone
density reduction and tooth loss from periodontal disease.
There appears to be link between bone mineral density and
clinical attachment loss in postmenopausal white and Asian
populations. This information coupled with previous studies
connecting the number of teeth in the jaw and bone density
seems to associate these two factors.
Chronic Inflammation Linked To Severe
Periodontal Disease. In 2004, researchers at the
University of North Carolina found that levels of C-Reactive
Protein (CRP) are higher in people with severe periodontal
disease. CRP is produced in the body when inflammation is
present and is a good predictor of impending heart attacks.
Periodontal diseases are chronic and low grade in a majority
of cases, which leaves the heart vulnerable.
Bacterial Plaque Can Increase Risk
Of Pneumonia. Dental plaque pathogens linked with
pneumonia in the elderly - A study from the State University
of New York at Buffalo has found that good oral health may
help protect the elderly from contracting pneumonia. They
have shown that dental plaque is a reservoir of respiratory
pathogens that can cause pneumonia of elderly institutionalized
patients. Twenty-eight out of forty nine patients in this
study were found to have respiratory pathogens in their dental
plaque samples. This study is suggesting a link between the
burden of dental disease and the incidence of respiratory
events.
Link Established Between Periodontal
Diseases And Respiratory Diseases. An increase
in the bacterial burden may play a role in exacerbation or
progression on COPD. An improvement in oral hygiene and treating
periodontal disease could decrease oropharyngeal colonization
by pathogenic bacteria. This reduction could reduce death
from serious respiratory infections. (Dentistry Today, August
2003).
Alcohol Abuse Results In A Higher
Incidence Of Periodontal Disease and Potentially Precancerous
Lesions. One third of the patients in this study
were at risk for a precancerous lesion or periodontal disease,
which the researchers attribute to alcohol consumption. 82%
of the patients had a severe gingival inflammation. This study
was co-authored by Dr. Sebastian Ciancio of the State University
of New York at Buffalo School of Dental Medicine.
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