Health risks have been associated with untreated periodontal diseases. Remember periodontal diseases are infections. The body responds to infections by producing an inflammatory response to try and control the infection. Such a response is in part protective and in part destructive. If periodontal diseases, including gingivitis, are left untreated, this inflammatory process remains active and may affect whole body systems. Many of the medical problems associated with periodontal diseases are also considered to be inflammatory disorders. To date, research is suggestive of relationships between uncontrolled periodontal diseases and heart disease/stroke, diabetes, respiratory diseases, pancreatic cancer, low birth premature births, and Alzheimer's Disease. Most significantly, many these relationships have only been proven in recent years, suggesting that as research into other inflammatory diseases and processes continues, additional relationships will be brought to light.
Research has shown individuals with uncontrolled gum disease are twice as likely to have coronary artery disease. In one theory, the link is explained by the oral bacteria entering the bloodstream through bleeding gums, adhering to fatty deposits (plaques) in the coronary artery walls, and ultimately promoting clot formation. And, it is these clots, that may lead to heart attacks and strokes. Another possibility may lie with the production of inflammatory by-products released into the body as a result of periodontal diseases, which affect the inner surfaces of the blood vessels and heart muscle itself. There is no question that more research is necessary to further define the precise mechanism.
Obviously, with cardiovascular diseases there are many contributing factors like smoking, obesity, diabetes, etc. Periodontal disease is now just one of those factors. However, because periodontal diseases are preventable and treatable, it is important that you take the initiative to have Dr. Newhouse evaluate your periodontal health. To see, if you might have be at risk for periodontal disease, you might want to take the simple risk assessment test at link to risk assessment tool at perio.org.
The relationship between diabetes and periodontal diseases is complex. First, because diabetics are more susceptible to any infection, they are more likely to develop periodontal diseases. Development of periodontal diseases in diabetics then in turn can cause increases in blood glucose levels, decreases in diabetic control, and increases in diabetic complications. Maintaining periodontal health is obviously of great importance to the long-term health of diabetics!
Evidence suggests that pregnant women who have uncontrolled periodontal disease may be 7X more likely to have premature, low birth weight babies. It appears that inflammatory products triggered by uncontrolled periodontal diseases may result in increased levels of chemicals related to the induction of early labor.
Sometimes, because of the hormonal changes that occur during pregnancy and the way the pregnant woman's body responds to accumulation of plaque and calculus (tartar), localized growths may occur. These are not typically cancerous or painful, but may need to be removed professionally if they do not disappear after the pregnancy is concluded.
It is very important for those women who are considering pregnancy to be periodontally healthy. Effective daily home care and regular examinations are essential. More frequent professional cleanings may also be a necessary component of adequate health maintenance during pregnancy.
Bacteria associated with periodontal diseases have been implicated in respiratory infections such as pneumonia. Such infections are thought to occur by aspiration of fine droplets containing bacteria from the mouth and throat into the lungs. People that have COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) or those who are in institutions like nursing homes, have a reduced ability to eliminate the bacteria from the lungs and an infection results. It is recommended that people with a reduced lung capacity for whatever the reason, be screened for periodontal disease so that the bacterial concentrations in their mouths is reduced, thereby reducing the chances in lung infections.
Studies of twins who had been diagnosed with periodontal disease before age 35 showed a 5X greater chance of developing Alzheimer's Disease. Though this link is currently being studied, it suggests that exposure to chronic inflammatory products like those from periodontal diseases at a young age may predispose those individuals to dementia in later stages of life.
In a study published in 2007 in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute, after other risk factors like smoking and diabetes were eliminated, there was a 63% greater chance of the development of pancreatic cancer in men with periodontal disease than with those without periodontal disease. Again, inflammation resulting from periodontal disease implicated.
Bottom Line: It is likely that by maintaining periodontal health, that at least one contributing factor implicated in a number of significant health issues can be minimized.
