Inflammation:
Connecting the Mouth and Body?
[
Submitted by Dr. Andreas Siebold on 21 September, 2009 ]
Research
suggests chronic inflammation links gum disease to other disease states
CHICAGO
-
Brush after every meal. Floss daily. See
your dental professional regularly. These instructions make sense
coming from your dentist to help you sustain your oral health. But now
not only dentists, but also many physicians, are stressing the
importance of maintaining oral health in an effort to keep the rest of
the body healthy. Research has long suggested an association between
gum disease and other health issues, including heart disease, stroke
and diabetes, but now scientists are beginning to shift their focus to
understanding why these connections exist. An emerging theory, and one
gaining support from researchers worldwide, is that inflammation may
link the mouth to the body.
Inflammation
is the body’s instinctive reaction to fight off infection, guard
against injury or shield against irritation. Inflammation is often
characterized by swelling, redness, heat and pain around the affected
area. While inflammation initially intends to heal the body, over
time, chronic inflammation can lead to dysfunction of the infected
tissues, and therefore more severe health complications.
According
to Dr. Susan Karabin, Past President of the American Academy of
Periodontology (AAP) and a practicing periodontist in New York City,
periodontal disease is a textbook example of an inflammatory disorder.
“For many years, dental professionals believed that gum disease was
solely the result of a bacterial infection caused by a build-up of
plaque between the teeth and under the gums. While plaque accumulation
is still a factor in the development and progression of gum disease,
researchers now suspect that the more severe symptoms, namely swollen,
bleeding gums; recession around the gum line, and loss of the bone
that holds the teeth in place, may be caused by the chronic
inflammatory response to the bacterial infection, rather than the
bacteria itself.”
Periodontists,
the dentists specially trained in the in the prevention, diagnosis and
treatment of gum disease, hypothesize that this inflammatory response
to bacteria in the mouth may be the cause behind the
periodontal-systemic health link. Many of the diseases associated with
periodontal disease are also considered to be systemic inflammatory
disorders, including cardiovascular disease, diabetes, rheumatoid
arthritis, chronic kidney disease and even certain forms of cancer,
suggesting that inflammation itself may be the basis for the
connection.
“More
research is needed to pinpoint the precise biological mechanisms
responsible for the relationship between gum disease and other disease
states,” says Dr. Karabin. “However, previous findings have
indicated that gum disease sufferers are at a higher risk for other
diseases, making it more critical than ever to maintain periodontal
health in order to achieve overall health.”
To
avoid gum disease, Dr. Karabin recommends comprehensive daily oral
care, including regular brushing and flossing, and routine visits to
the dentist. If gum disease develops, a consultation with a dental
professional, such as a periodontist, can lead to effective treatment.
Patients diagnosed with gum disease should also disclose all health
conditions to his or her dental professional, and be sure to update
other health care professionals on his or her periodontal health.
A
recent supplement to the Journal of Periodontology highlighted
current discussions between dental professionals and health care
professionals on the role of oral inflammation in the progression of
other disease states. As research continues to emerge that supports
the mouth-body connection, the more vital it becomes that both
dentists and physicians work together to ensure the most comprehensive
wellbeing for their patients.
For
more information on the role of inflammation in oral health, tips on
how to prevent or treat gum disease, to find out if you are at risk,
or to find a local periodontist, visit www.perio.org.
About
the American Academy of Periodontology
The
American Academy of Periodontology is an 8,000-member association of
dental professionals specializing in the prevention, diagnosis and
treatment of diseases affecting the gums and supporting structures of
the teeth and in the placement and maintenance of dental implants.
Periodontics is one of nine dental specialties recognized by the
American Dental Association.
American
Academy of Periodontology
NOTE:
A copy of the JOP supplement: Inflammation and Periodontal Diseases: A
Reappraisal is available to the media by contacting the AAP Public
Relations Department at 312/573-3242.
