Gum disease isn’t just a problem for your mouth. Here’s what you should know

Gum disease is one of the most common chronic human diseases, affecting between 20 and 50 percent of people worldwide. They occur when plaque, a sticky film of bacteria, builds up on the teeth.

The earliest stages of gum disease are treatable and reversible (gingivitis). But some people develop a chronically destructive form of gum disease that is irreversible. This disease progresses to tooth loss.

A growing body of evidence shows that gum disease can also make people more likely to develop other serious health problems.

Here are some of the most common health issues associated with gum disease and how they are related.

1. Alzheimer illness

Several large studies and meta-analyses agree that moderate or severe gum disease is significantly associated with dementia.

For example, one study showed that suffering from chronic gum disease for ten years or more was associated with a 70 percent greater risk of developing Alzheimer’s than those without.

Research has also shown a link between gum disease and a six-fold decline in cognitive ability.

At first it was thought that bacteria were directly responsible for this connection. Porphyromonas gingivalisBacteria that are common in chronic gum disease have been found in the brains of people who died from Alzheimer’s disease.

Toxic bacterial enzymes called gingipains have also been found, which are thought to make gum disease worse by preventing the immune response from shutting down and thus prolonging inflammation.

However, it is not certain whether bacteria in the brain, an altered immune response, or other factors – such as damage from systemic inflammation – explain the link.

But taking care of your oral health could be one way to reduce your risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease.

2. Cardiovascular disease

Cardiovascular disease is also firmly linked to gum disease.

In a large study of over 1,600 people over the age of 60, gum disease was linked to a nearly 30 percent higher risk of having a first heart attack.

This association persisted even after the researchers adjusted for other conditions (such as diabetes and asthma) or lifestyle habits (such as smoking status, education and marriage) that are known to increase a person’s risk of having a heart attack.

More recently, studies have also shown that systemic inflammation caused by chronic gum disease causes the body’s stem cells to produce a hyperreactive group of neutrophils (a type of early defense white blood cell).

These cells can damage the lining of arteries by damaging the cells that line the arteries — triggering plaque formation.

3. Type 2 diabetes

Gum disease is a known complication of type 2 diabetes, and chronic gum disease increases the risk of developing type 2 diabetes.

The processes that link the two diseases are the focus of much research, and it is likely that the inflammation caused by either condition affects the other.

For example, type 2 diabetes increases the risk of gum disease by increasing inflammation in the gums.

Gum disease has also been shown to contribute to impaired insulin signaling and insulin resistance — both of which can exacerbate type 2 diabetes.

Several clinical studies have shown that intensive tooth cleaning can improve blood sugar control in diabetics for several months, further showing the links between the two diseases.

4. Cancer

Gum disease is also associated with a higher risk of developing many types of cancer. For example, patients who had a history of gum disease were shown to have a 43 percent higher risk of esophageal cancer and a 52 percent higher risk of stomach cancer.

Other research has also reported that people with chronic gum disease have between 14 and 20 percent higher risk of developing any type of cancer. The same study also showed a 54 percent increased risk of pancreatic cancer.

It is not clear why this relationship exists. Some think it has to do with inflammation, which plays a role in both gum disease and cancer.

Inflammation disrupts the environment cells need to stay healthy and function properly, and is a factor in the progression of gum disease and tumor growth.

Improve gum health

Gum disease is preventable and reversible in its early stages.

While some risk factors for gum disease cannot be changed (such as your genetics), you can make lifestyle changes to reduce your overall risk.

For example, eating less sugar, avoiding tobacco and alcohol, and reducing stress can help. It’s also important to know that certain medications (like some antidepressants and high blood pressure medications) can decrease saliva production, which can increase your risk of gum disease.

People taking these medicines need to take extra precautions, such as For example, using special gels or sprays to increase saliva production or being extra careful when brushing your teeth.

Of course, the most important things you can do to protect yourself from gum disease (and therefore your overall health) are brushing twice a day with fluoride toothpaste and not using mouthwash after brushing — and making sure not to after brushing to rinse so that the fluoride can penetrate remain on the teeth. At-home interdental cleaning (such as dental floss) and regular dental visits will also help you keep your oral health in check.

Christine Bryson, Lecturer in Medicine, Anglia Ruskin University

This article was republished by The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.