In recent years, there has been an explosion of research into the long-term health effects of periodontal disease, and the role it plays as a risk factor in the onset of Alzheimer’s disease, Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD), heart disease and certain cancers, just to name a few.
Periodontal disease, also known as gum disease or pyorrhea, refers to the inflammation and infection of the tissues that support your teeth. This includes your gums, periodontal ligament and the bone in which the teeth are anchored. This infection “around the teeth” is caused by the naturally occurring bacteria in our mouths, and the sticky paste they produce called plaque. It is a painless, often silent infection with little or no indication of its presence until it reaches an advanced stage. It is now quite clear, that the bacteria that cause periodontal infection and inflammation are traveling throughout the bloodstream, and contributing to illnesses that cause much greater harm to the body.
Alzheimer’s Disease
One of the neurological hallmarks of Alzheimer’s Disease is a buildup of a substance called beta-amyloid in the brain. Researchers have discovered an organism called P. Gingivalis, which is one of the keystone organisms in periodontal disease, in the brain tissue of individuals with Alzheimer’s. It is now believed that beta-amyloid forms in the brain in response to the presence of P. Gingivalis, and an enzyme that it produces called gingipain.
Irritable Bowel Disease (IBD)
IBD is an immune-cell-mediated inflammation of the gut. It is currently hypothesized that immune cells activated by the bacteria responsible for periodontal disease can transmigrate to the tissues of the bowel. Once there, they can trigger an aggressive inflammatory response in the lining of the intestine.
Heart Disease
While there is currently no “smoking gun” in the relationship between heart disease and the chronic inflammatory effect of periodontal disease, numerous studies have shown that there is at least a strong correlation between the two. Researchers continue to study the link between chronic inflammation and immune-cell-mediated vascular damage resulting in the formation of coronary artery plaque. Additionally, the very same oral bacteria that cause periodontal disease have been found living in the coronary plaques that eventually lead to heart attack and stroke.
Cancer
A bacteria called treponema denticola is commonly associated with periodontal disease and has been found in certain tumors of the gastrointestinal system. This organism produces an enzyme that helps it to invade the gum tissue. This enzyme was also found to activate other enzymes that cancer cells produce to invade healthy tissue, thus facilitating tumor growth.
As the scientific evidence continues to mount exposing the virulent nature of periodontal disease, the silver lining is that periodontal disease is both curable and easily preventable. Comprehensive dental care, practicing good oral hygiene habits and a healthy diet all play a critical role in averting the potential long-term risks of this silent villain.