Gum disease, corona, herpes… higher risk of brain inflammation
Gum diseases such as gingivitis and periodontitis ranked first in the number of elderly patients in Korea last year (3.46 million). According to data recently presented to the National Assembly by the National Health Insurance Corporation, about 3.46 million elderly patients aged 65 and over visited the hospital for gum disease last year. That is, 4 out of 10 seniors received treatment. This is much more than the number of elderly patients (about 3.16 million) treated for high blood pressure.
Gum disease is a bad sign for older people. A disease in which inflammation occurs only in the gums (soft tissue) is called gingivitis, and a disease in which inflammation spreads to the gums as well as around the gums is called periodontitis.
If you suffer from gum disease, the risk of various diseases such as dementia, blood cancer, bladder cancer, and diabetes increases significantly. According to a recent study from Eastern Finland University, when tooth loss, which is an indicator of gum disease, occurs, the risk of cognitive decline is 23% higher and the risk of dementia is increased by 13%, respectively. This content was published in the ≪Journal of the American Geriatrics Society≫ and introduced by the US health media ‘Health Day’.
It is estimated that about 10 to 15% of the world’s population suffer from periodontitis among periodontal diseases. Severe periodontitis can lead to tooth loss, some research suggests, which increases the risk of diabetes and heart disease. Dr. Sam Gandy (Director of the Cognitive Health Center) at Mount Sinai Hospital, New York, USA, said, “Systemic viral diseases such as gum disease, COVID-19, inflammatory bowel disease (ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease, etc.) and herpes can cause brain inflammation.” said Because of this, the treatment of inflammation has become one of the treatment goals for Alzheimer’s disease.
Previous research has shown that people with gum disease increase their risk of cancer by about 13%. In particular, the risk of blood cancer increases by about 39% and the risk of bladder cancer by about 31%, respectively. In addition, the risk of developing thyroid cancer (about 19%), stomach cancer (about 14%), colorectal cancer and lung cancer (about 13% each) is quite high. Experts emphasized that it is necessary to thoroughly take care of the oral cavity by preventing and treating periodontal disease, and to strive for a lifestyle centered on smoking, exercise, and vegetarianism.