4th health conditions linked to gum disease 2023
Periodontal disease Adequate tooth brushing and daily dental flossing are the key to preventing and curing gum disease, which is the most prevalent human ailment. Gum disease occurs when plaque, a mixture of bacteria, builds up on teeth. The gum disease process can be stopped and reversed in the early stages (gingivitis). However, some individuals will develop a chronic, irreversible gum disease which leads to tooth loss ( Periodontitis). Bacteria that are common in gum infections can also contribute to the development of coronary artery plaque.
Here are some of the conditions connected to gum disease and how they are connected.
1. Alzheimer’s disease 2023
Multiple large studies and meta-analyses conclude that gum disease is associated with dementia, particularly severe gum disease. According to one study, chronic gum disease for ten years or more was associated with a 70% higher chance of developing Alzheimer’s disease compared to those without gum disease. In addition, gum disease has been connected to a sixfold loss in cognitive ability.
It was once thought that the presence of P. gingivalis, an organism common in gum disease that causes Alzheimer’s disease, in the brain was directly responsible for the connection. Gingipains, toxic bacterial enzymes that block the immune response from shutting off, are thought to make gum disease worse by prolonging inflammation, in addition to toxic bacteria found in the brain. Although it’s not certain whether bacteria in the brain, an altered immune response, or other factors are involved, taking care of your oral health may help to lower the risk of Alzheimer’s disease.
2.Periodontal disease Cardiovascular disease 2023
Gum disease is also strongly connected to cardiovascular disease. In a study of more than 1,600 people aged 60 and older, gum disease was connected with a 29% increased chance of having a heart attack, even after researchers accounted for other health problems (such as diabetes and asthma), as well as lifestyle factors (such as smoking status, education, and marriage).
Periodontal disease In addition, research has also shown that systemic inflammation caused by chronic gum disease produces stem cells that produce a hyper-responsive group of neutrophils (a sort of early defence white blood cells). These cells might damage the lining of arteries by damaging the cells that line the arteries, resulting in the development of plaques.
3. Type 2 diabetes 2023
Type 2 diabetes and gum disease are both associated with an elevated risk of complications, including gum disease. The processes that link the two conditions are under investigation, and it’s likely that inflammation caused by one or both of them influences the other. Type 2 diabetes raises the risk of gum infection by raising inflammation in the gum tissues. It has also been demonstrated to contribute to insulin resistance, insulin signalling impairments, and other insulin complications—all of which can increase type 2 diabetes. Dental cleanings can control blood sugar in diabetic patients for several months, providing further evidence of the connection between the two conditions.
4. Cancers 2023
Patients with a history of gum disease were found to have a 43% greater risk of esophageal cancer and a 52% greater risk of stomach cancer, in addition to other cancers. This research also demonstrated a between 14–20% higher risk of pancreatic cancer and a 54% higher risk of pancreatic cancer. It’s not known why this association exists. Some say it is due to inflammation, which is both a component of gum disease and cancer. Inflammation corrupts the atmosphere that cells require to survive and function properly, resulting in both gum disease and tumor growth.
Improving gum health 2023
You can lower your risk of gum disease by modifying your lifestyle. It is reversible and preventable in the early stages. Although you cannot change certain risk factors (such as your genetic makeup), you may be able to modify your lifestyle to reduce your overall danger.
Soothing your temper and avoiding tobacco and alcohol, as well as keeping stress at bay, are excellent examples. Patients taking certain medications (for example, some antidepressant and hypertension drugs) may benefit from increasing saliva production, which can be accomplished by using special gels or sprays as needed. Patients taking these drugs should take extra care in tooth brushing to ensure that saliva is produced properly.
The most crucial wellness measures you can take to protect yourself from and subsequently preserve from gum disease (and other health problems) are brushing twice daily with fluoride toothpaste and avoiding using mouthwash after brushing—and also avoiding rinsing after brushing to allow the fluoride to stay on your teeth. You can also maintain your oral health by doing interdental cleaning at home (such as flossing) and going to the dentist regularly.