Over the years, researchers have discovered that keeping our teeth in top condition not only prevents cavities, but can help us live a long and healthy life.
Gum disease is one of the most common chronic diseases affecting humans, affecting between 20% and 50% of people worldwide.
This disease, which is called gingivitis in its early stages, is completely curable by using regular dental floss, according to The Sun newspaper.
Gum disease can progress to tooth loss if left untreated. And a growing body of evidence shows that gum disease can make people more likely to develop other serious health conditions.
Dr. Kristen Bryson, a medical lecturer from Anglia Ruskin University, explains some of the common fatal health conditions associated with gum disease.
1. Alzheimer’s disease
“Several large studies have found that moderate or severe gum disease is significantly associated with dementia,” said Dr. Christine.
Dementia is an umbrella term used to describe the deterioration of a person’s mental ability. There are many different types of this condition, and one of the most common forms is Alzheimer’s disease.
And Finnish researchers discovered that those suffering from gum disease and tooth loss were almost more likely to suffer from this severe condition.
Research has also shown a link between gum disease and a sixfold decline in cognitive ability.
“At first, it was thought that bacteria were directly responsible for this association,” the expert said.
“P. gingivalis, a common bacterium in chronic gum disease, was found in the brains of people who died of Alzheimer’s disease,” Christine explained.
She added: “Toxic bacterial enzymes called gingipains have been found, which are thought to worsen gum disease by preventing the immune response from stopping and thus prolonging inflammation.”
The inflammation can cause dark red, swollen, painful gums that bleed easily — especially when you brush your teeth.
“However, it is not certain whether bacteria in the brain, an altered immune response or other factors, such as damage from systemic inflammation, explain the association,” she said.
“But taking care of your oral health may be one way to reduce your risk of Alzheimer’s disease.”
Other researchers have suggested that the link could actually happen because people with dementia forget to brush their teeth in the early stages of the disease.
2. Cardiovascular disease
“Cardiovascular disease is closely related to periodontal disease,” said Dr. Christine.
In a large study of more than 1,600 people over the age of 60, gum disease was associated with a risk of having a first heart attack by nearly 30%.
This association persisted even after researchers adjusted for other conditions (such as diabetes and asthma) and lifestyle habits (such as smoking status, education and marriage), which are known to increase a person’s risk of heart attack.
“Recently, studies have also shown that inflammation from chronic gum disease causes the body’s stem cells to produce a hyperresponsive population of neutrophils, a type of early defensive white blood cell,” she added.
She explained that “these cells may destroy the lining of the arteries by damaging the cells that line the arteries, which leads to the accumulation of plaques.”
3. Type 2 diabetes
Gum disease is a known complication of type 2 diabetes, and chronic gum disease increases the risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
“The processes that link the two diseases are the focus of a lot of research, and it’s possible that the inflammation from each condition affects the other,” Christine said.
“It has been shown that gum disease contributes to insulin resistance, which may exacerbate type 2 diabetes,” she added.
4. Crabs
Gum disease is also associated with an increased risk of several types of cancer.
“For example, patients who reported a history of gum disease were found to have a 43% greater risk of developing esophageal cancer, and a 52% greater risk of developing stomach cancer,” Christine said.
Other research has also reported that people with chronic gum disease have a 14-20% higher risk of developing any type of cancer.
The same study also showed an increased risk of pancreatic cancer by 54%.
“It’s not clear why this relationship exists,” she said. “Some believe it has something to do with inflammation, which is a factor in both gum disease and cancer.”
“Inflammation disrupts the environment that cells need to stay healthy and function properly and is a factor in the development of both gum disease and tumor growth,” she explained.