- Perio Disease & Diabetes
- Statement on the Link Between Gum Disease-Heart
Disease
- NIH Funds Research to Explore Gum Disease/Heart
Disease Link
- Transmission of Periodontal (Gum) Disease
Between Family Members
- Genetic Marker Discovered for Periodontal
Disease
- Systemic
effects of Periodontal Disease
- NEW!! The latest research - June 2006 -Study Suggests How Oral Bacterium Might Cause Cardiovascular Disease
- Cancer Linked to Unhealthy Gums
- Unhealthy Gums Linked to Pancreatic Cancer
Perio Disease & Diabetes
Premature Birth and Low Birth Weight Babies
An expectant mom's gum disease may indicate an increased probability of a pre-term birth. Did you know that pregnant women with chronic periodontal (gum) disease during the second trimester are up to seven times more likely to give birth prematurely?
One in Eight Babies Is Born Too Early
Unfortunately, almost 500,000 babies in the United States are born prematurely, before the 37th completed week. It takes a tremendous toll on families as premature babies fight to survive and may have ongoing health challenges throughout their lives. |
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More attachment loss seen in young diabetics Past studies
have correlated Insulin Dependent Diabetes Mellitus (IDDM)
with periodontal disease and vice versa. Changes in the
micro-circulation of a diabetic patient can either block
or delay the normal immune response within periodontal
tissues.
Compromised circulation will reduce cell level oxygen
supply, interfere with metabolic waste removal and leukocyte
migration into the area. As a result, tissue repair and
regeneration may be hindered. From the other side, periodontal
infection may actually result in resistance to insulin,
thus increasing needed insulin dosages.
Control of periodontal infection has resulted in lowered
insulin requirements for diabetic patients. A report from
Istanbul, Turkey provides 5-year data on 44 IDDM children
and adolescents. A healthy control group was selected from
the children of dental school employees. Clinical indices
were recorded at baseline and 5 years later, revealing
similar levels of plaque, gingivitis, pocket depth, and
bleeding on probing for both groups.
However, the diabetes group had an average clinical attachment
loss of over 1 mm, compared to less than a quarter of a
millimeter loss in the control group. Those with a longer
history of diabetes exhibited greater attachment loss.
(Firatli, E. : The Relationship Between Clinical Periodontal
Status and Insulin-Dependent Diabetes Mellitus. results
After 5 Years. J of Periodontology 68: 136, 1997)
Statement on the Link Between Gum
Disease-Heart Disease
The American
Academy of Periodontology is concerned about new
research linking gum disease to a heart attack or stroke.
A recent study presented at the American Association
for the Advancement of Science meeting suggests that
the bacteria present in gum diseases may trigger blood
clots which can contribute to a heart attack or stroke. According to Dr. Timothy Rose, AAP President, this new
study supports accumulating research that identifies gum
disease as significantly increasing the risk for heart
disease. The AAP believes emerging research in this area
may establish periodontal disease as a risk factor for
cardiovascular disease.
Gum disease, also known as periodontal diseases, is one
of the most common infections - often more prevalent than
the common cold. Common signs of gum disease include bleeding
gums or pus between the teeth. Left untreated, this chronic
infection can destroy the bone that supports the teeth
and may lead to tooth loss.
Further research in this area is currently underway and
being funded by the National Institutes of Health. The
Academy urges people who are at-risk for cardiovascular
disease or have signs of gum disease to consult with a
dentist experienced with treating periodontal disease.
Regular periodontal screenings and evaluations, treatment,
and professional maintenance are critical to the long-term
management of periodontal disease.
NIH FUNDS RESEARCH TO EXPLORE GUM
DISEASE-HEART DISEASE LINK CHICAGO -- The National Institutes of Health recently
approved a grant of $1.3 million to further study the link
between periodontal (gum) diseases and cardiovascular disease.
This funding will support the most comprehensive research
to date to define the link between these two diseases. According to the grant recipient, Dr. Robert Genco, Distinguished
Professor and Chairman at State University of New York
at Buffalo and Editor of the Journal of Periodontology,
emerging research has identified infection and inflammation
caused by periodontal disease as significantly increasing
the risk for coronary heart disease.
Supporting one of Genco's theories, a recent study in
the New England Journal of Medicine found that men with
high levels of a marker for inflammation are at an increased
risk for a heart attack. Genco will study the link between
periodontal disease and cardiovascular disease over five
years. The study includes 1,000 subjects of both men and
women from Caucasian and African-American descent, along
with 2,200 control subjects. All known risk factors for
heart disease will be assessed: stress, hostility, diabetes,
smoking, weight, high blood pressure, blood lipids, family
history, diet, alcohol and physical activity.
Genco theorizes that inflammation caused by periodontal
diseases contributes to plaque build-up in the arteries
which creates greater risk of heart disease. The study
will explore the association between these two diseases.
More than $250 billion is spent annually in direct and
indirect costs related to cardiovascular disease.
Genco's study coincides with another grant for $2.2 million
in which collaborating researchers will also explore this
link. The emerging area of periodontal and systemic links
is one that could have significant impact on public health,
Genco noted. The findings may be life-saving for some of
the nearly one million people who die annually from heart
disease, he suggests.
Previous studies demonstrated a link between periodontal
disease and cardiovascular disease but were limited in
size and/or scope, or did not fully control for all risk
factors. The Journal of Periodontology, the official publication
of The American Academy of Periodontology (AAP), publishes
original papers of the highest scientific quality to support
the practice, education, and research in the dental specialty
of periodontology.
The AAP is a 7,000-member organization of dentists specializing
in the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of tissues surrounding
the teeth and in the placement and maintenance of dental
implants. Periodontics is one of eight dental specialties
recognized by the American Dental Association.
Transmission of Periodontal (Gum)
Disease Between Family Members Periodontal (gum) disease may be passed from parents to
children and between couples, according to an article in
the September 1997 issue of the Journal of the American
Dental Association. This research concurs with other recent findings that
support the association between periodontal disease and
family members. Researchers suggest bacteria that cause
periodontal disease pass though saliva. This means that
the common contact of saliva in families puts children
and couples at risk for contracting the periodontal disease
of another family member. Periodontal disease can lead
to tooth loss. Based on this research, The American Academy
of Periodontology (AAP) recognizes that treatment of gum
disease may involve entire families. If one family member
has periodontal disease, the AAP recommends that all family
members see a dental professional for a periodontal disease
screening.
Genetic Marker Discovered for Periodontal
Disease
Up to 30% of the population may be genetically susceptible to developing
severe periodontal disease, according to a study published in the Journal
of Clinical Periodontology. These findings could result in the early
identification and treatment of at-risk patients.
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