Researchers
Caution that Tooth Loss May Increase Risk of Chronic Kidney Disease in
U.S. Adults
[Submitted by Dr. Andreas Siebold on 21
September, 2009]
Study
published in the Journal of Periodontology suggests that effects of
untreated periodontal disease may be linked to chronic kidney disease
CHICAGO
-
According to the National Kidney Foundation,
one out of nine Americans suffers from chronic kidney disease (CKD),
and millions more are at risk. A debilitating disease, CKD can affect
blood pressure and bone health, and can eventually lead to heart
disease or kidney failure. A recent study published in the Journal
of Periodontology (JOP), the official publication of the American
Academy of Periodontology (AAP), suggests that edentulous, or
toothless, adults may be more likely to have CKD than dentate adults.
In the study, conducted at Case Western Reserve University,
endentulism was found to be significantly associated with CKD,
indicating that oral care may play a role in reducing the prevalence
of chronic kidney disease in the U.S. population.
The
study examined the kidney function and periodontal health indicators,
including dentate status, of 4,053 U.S. adults 40 years of age and
older. After adjusting for recognized risk factors of CKD such as age,
race/ethnicity and smoking status, the results revealed that
participants who lost all their teeth were more likely to have CKD
than patients who had maintained their natural dentition.
“The
rationale for examining edentulous adults in this study is to observe
the long-term effects of periodontal disease on the presence of
chronic kidney disease,” states study author Monica Fisher, PhD,
DDS, MPH. “Periodontal disease is a leading cause of tooth loss in
adults; therefore endentulism is considered to be a marker of past
periodontal disease in the study’s participants.”
While
additional research is needed to fully understand why tooth loss is
associated with higher prevalence of CKD, the destructive nature of
chronic inflammation may play a role. Both periodontal disease and
chronic kidney disease are considered inflammatory conditions, and
previous research has suggested that inflammation may be the common
link between these diseases. Since untreated periodontal disease can
ultimately lead to tooth loss, edentulous patients may have been
exposed to chronic oral inflammation.
According
to David Cochran, DDS, President of the American Academy of
Periodontology and Professor and Chair of the Department of
Periodontics at the University of Texas Health Science Center at San
Antonio, treating periodontal disease can do a lot more than save your
natural teeth. “Researchers have long known that gum disease is
related to other adverse health conditions, and now we can consider
chronic kidney disease to be one of them. It is exciting to think that
by controlling periodontal disease and therefore helping to preserve
natural dentition, the incidence and progression of CKD may be
reduced.”
Periodontists,
the dentists specially trained in the prevention, diagnosis and
treatment of gum disease, recommend regular brushing and flossing and
routine visits to a dental professional in order to maintain
comprehensive oral health. If gum disease develops, consulting a
periodontist is an effective way to determine the most appropriate
course of treatment.
To
learn more about gum disease, locate a periodontist, or to find out if
you are at risk for periodontal disease, visit perio.org or call (800)
FLOSS-EM (800/356-7736).
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
EDITOR’S
NOTE: A copy of the JOP article “Clinical
and Serological Markers of Periodontal Infection and Chronic Kidney
Disease” is available to the media by contacting the AAP Public
Affairs Department at 312/573-3242. The public and/or non-AAP members
can view a study abstract online, and the full-text of the study may
be accessed online for $20.00 at http://www.joponline.org/.
