Pregnancy
Complication Is Associated With Periodontal Destruction
[
Submitted by Dr Andreas Siebold on 6 December, 2005 ]
Periodontal
inflammation plays a possible role in the development of preeclampsia, a
potentially deadly condition that affects approximately 5 percent of U.
S. pregnancies, according to a study in the Journal of Periodontology.
"This finding may pave the way
for screening and treating periodontal disease as a preventive method to
reduce the occurrence of preeclampsia," said Vincent J Iacono, DMD
and AAP president.
"The chronic inflammation of periodontal infection, together with
evidence linking periodontitis with atherosclerosis indicates a possible
association between periodontal disease and preeclampsia," said Dr.
Orit Oettinger-Barak, Periodontal Unit, Maxillofacial Surgery Center-The
Technion Faculty of Medicine, Haifa, Israel. Atherosclerosis is a
multistage process set in motion when cells lining the arteries are
damaged as a result of high blood pressure, smoking, toxic substances
and other agents. "We found that periodontal disease was more
severe in the preeclamptic patients, which suggests an interaction
between periodontal disease and pregnancy."
Researchers performed periodontal examinations in pregnant women with
and without preeclampsia. The periodontal examination was performed up
to 48 hours prior to delivery by collecting gingival crevicular fluid,
which is a fluid that contains enzymes and pieces of tissue that have
been examined as potential markers for the progression of periodontitis.
This was followed with a full mouth periodontal examination.
Researchers found that the protein levels, known as cytokines in the
preeclamptic group were nearly three times greater than the healthy
group.
"Circulating proteins known as cytokines have previously been
associated with the cause of preeclampsia," said Iacono.
"Nevertheless, this is the first time that cytokines related to
periodontal disease have been implicated. Additional studies will be
required to support the findings, including a treatment study designed
to eliminate periodontal disease as a preventive measure to reduce the
incidence of preeclampsia."
Most periodontal diseases are chronic inflammatory conditions caused by
the body's response to bacterial gum infections that can destroy the gum
tissue and supporting bone that hold teeth in the mouth. The main cause
of this disease is bacterial plaque, a sticky, colorless film that
constantly forms on the teeth. Prevention includes daily flossing to
break up the bacterial colonies between the teeth, proper daily brushing
to prevent plaque buildup and professional cleanings at least twice a
year to remove calculus from places the toothbrush and floss may have
missed. Since there are often no symptoms of the disease in its early
stages, a periodontal evaluation by your dentist or periodontist is the
best way to know if you have any periodontal disease.
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.
Link to AAP Website
