Gum disease is one of the most common chronic diseases affecting humans, affecting between 20 and 50 percent of people worldwide.
Early stages of gum disease (gingivitis) can be treated and reversed. But some people develop chronically devastating gum disease; It is irreversible. This disease progresses to tooth loss.
And a growing body of evidence shows that gum disease can make people more likely to develop other serious health conditions.
Here are some common health conditions associated with gum disease and how they are related, according to what was published by the specialized scientific website “theconversation”.
1. Alzheimer’s disease
Several large studies and meta-analyses agree that moderate or severe periodontal disease is closely related to dementia. For example, one study showed that suffering from chronic gum disease for ten years or more was associated with a 70% higher risk of Alzheimer’s disease compared to those without it.
Research has also shown a link between gum disease and a sixfold decline in cognitive ability.
At first, it was thought that bacteria were directly responsible for this association. P. gingivalis has been found; It is a common bacterium in chronic gum disease, in the brains of people who have died of Alzheimer’s disease. Toxic bacterial enzymes called gingipains have also been found, which are thought to exacerbate gum disease by preventing the immune response from shutting down and thus prolonging inflammation.
However, it’s not certain whether bacteria in the brain, an altered immune response, or other factors (such as damage from systemic inflammation) explain the association. But taking care of your oral health may be one way to reduce your risk of Alzheimer’s disease.
2. Cardiovascular disease
In a large study of more than 1,600 people over the age of 60, gum disease was linked to a risk of having a first heart attack by nearly 30%. This association persisted even following 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 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 hyperresponsive pool of neutrophils (a type of early defensive white blood cell). These cells can destroy the lining of the arteries by damaging the cells that line the arteries, leading to a buildup of plaques.
3. Type 2 diabetes
Gum disease is a known complication of type 2 diabetes. Chronic gum disease also increases the risk of type 2 diabetes.
The processes linking the two diseases are the focus of much research. It is possible that the inflammation caused by each 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 – which can exacerbate type 2 diabetes.
Several clinical trials have also shown that intensive dental cleaning can improve glycemic control in people with diabetes for several months, clarifying the links between the two diseases.
4. Crabs
Gum disease is also associated with an increased risk of several types of cancer. For example, patients who reported a history of gum disease were shown to have a 43% greater risk of developing esophageal cancer, and a 52% greater risk of developing stomach cancer.
Other research has also reported that people with chronic gum disease have a 14-20% higher risk of developing any type of cancer. The same study also showed an increased risk of pancreatic cancer by 54%.
It is not clear why this relationship exists. But some think it has something to do with inflammation; It is a factor in both gum disease and cancer, in which inflammation disrupts the environment cells need to stay healthy and function properly, and it is a factor in the development of both gum disease and tumor growth.
Improve gum health
Gum disease can be prevented and reversed in the early stages.
While some risk factors for gum disease (such as genetics) can’t be changed, you can change your lifestyle 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 some medications (such as some antidepressants and high blood pressure medications) may reduce saliva production, which may increase the risk of gum disease. In addition, people taking these medications need to take extra precautions, such as using special gels or sprays to increase saliva production, or being extra careful.
