Healthy Teeth - Healthy Body

Poor dental health can lead to periodontitis – an inflammation of the tissue around the teeth, often resulting in shrinkage of the gums and loosening of the teeth. It’s a commonly occurring condition that can not only reduce your ability to chew, but can have an effect on the aesthetics of your mouth and may even lead to tooth loss. But there’s far more to periodontitis than initially meets the eyes.

Studies have shown that periodontitis increases the risk of poor glycemic control in patients with diabetes mellitus as well as diabetes complications and associated morbidity. Successful periodontal interventions also improve glycemic control in type 2 diabetes patients. Periodontitis is also independently associated with cardio-vascular diseases and adverse pregnancy outcomes in some populations.

Emerging evidence also appears to link periodontitis with nosocomial pulmonary infections, certain types of cancer and rheumatoid arthritis.

Periodontitis can be an early indicator of the bone-thinning disease osteoporosis. As, with periodontitis, there is a loss of bone in which the tooth is rooted (as well as a loss of the soft tissue attachment to the tooth). But it is this loss of bone that could be an early indicator of a wider concern.

They say that the way to someone’s heart is through their stomach. Well let’s just think about the mouth too. Research has shown links from gum disease to heart disease and strokes.

Gum disease usually starts with a gradual build up of plaque (the sticky coating made up of food and bacteria) that can lead to irritation of the gums, bleeding and gingivitis.

Research at New York State University shows that treating periodontal disease (swollen gums) with simple scaling and root planing and antibiotic gels can significantly lower the levels of C-reactive protein and fibrinogen, both of which are associated with a high risk of heart disease.

Another study from Sydney Dental Hospital showed that when dentists removed teeth of around 70 patients with advanced forms of gum disease, they found a large drop in the levels of the same compounds associated with heart disease.
It’s thought that the periodontal bacteria associated with gum disease may get into the bloodstream and travel to major organs where they begin new infections. There are also suggestions that the bacteria that cause gum disease could also increase the rate at which arteries become blocked.

Research also suggests that there may be a similar significant risk of stroke. Studies have found that women with antibodies to P. gingivalsi (the organism most associated with periodontal disease) were twice as likely to have a stroke.

According to research by the American Academy of Periodontology, links have been found between poor oral health and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), which is a respiratory condition mainly caused by cigarette smoking. With oral and other bacteria getting into the lungs of patients with COPD to cause frequent lung infections.

Research from the University of Alabama has even identified a link between higher rates of premature births and women with periodontal disease; brought on by gum infections producing increased levels of prostaglandin and other compounds known to induce labour.

In fact, researchers were able to reduce premature births by a staggering 84%, in women who received scaling and root planing, when they were less than 35 weeks pregnant.

That’s why the Rock House team of dentists and hygienists is so passionately committed to championing the highest standards of oral heath on behalf of each and every patient, regardless of their age.

With gum disease rates identified as being three times higher in people with diabetes, researchers at Newcastle University have now found evidence of a two-way effect. With diabetes increasing the risk of periodontitis and periodontitis inflammation worsening blood-sugar control.

• Patients with diabetes should be aware that periodontal disease risk is increased by poorly
controlled diabetes. If diabetic patients suffer from periodontal disease, their glycemic control may be more difficult to manage, and they are at a higher risk for diabetic complications such as cardiovascular and kidney disease.

• Patients with type 1, type 2 and gestational diabetes should have regular comprehensive periodontal examinations.

• Diabetic patients with extensive tooth loss should be encouraged to peruse dental rehabilitation to restore adequate mastication for proper nutrition.

• Patients with diabetes are at increased risk of oral fungal infections and experience poorer wound healing than those who do not have diabetes.