One in three Australian adults suffer from gum disease, and what’s more concerning is the new research that shows the various other health risks that arise from this.
Gum disease can increase the risk of serious cardiovascular events, Type 2 diabetes and adverse pregnancy outcomes.
The Australian Dental Association (ADA) wants to alert Australians of these close links during Dental Health Week (2-8 August).
The research
Studies show that people with advanced gum disease (periodontitis) have a much higher risk of a heart attack than people without it.
In an additional study conducted by Professor Joerj Eberhard, an oral health scientist and Chair of Lifespan Oral Health at the University of Sydney’s School of Dentistry, it was found that not brushing your teeth caused systematic inflammation which could prompt serious cardiac events.
“We asked a cohort of healthy young people with no cardiovascular risk factors, to not brush the same quadrant of their mouths, that’s seven teeth, for three weeks, to see what effect it would have on their health,” explains Prof. Eberhard.
“After three weeks we measured the inflammation in that quadrant of the mouth and we found the inflammation caused by not brushing there, had reached other parts of their body.
“But as soon as they started brushing that quadrant again, C-reactive protein, a risk marker for heart attacks, went down to normal levels. It’s another clear and concerning link between mouth health and whole body health.”
Pregnancy links
Studies are also being conducted into the effects of periodontitis on pregnant women. Some early data suggests that if the gum disease is treated, the risk of having a premature baby declines.
The ADA’s Oral Health Promoter and dentist Dr Mikaela Chinotti says, “These serious health conditions and events can be significantly reduced if people regularly look after their mouths.
“That means brushing twice a day with a small amount of fluoridated toothpaste, flossing daily, eating a diet low in sugar and seeing your dentist regularly for check ups. These typically include a scale and clean which is vital for removing the bacteria that builds up and start the process of periodontitis and inflammation.”
Dr Chinotti adds, “The ADA hopes that by making this mouth and whole-of-body relationship more widely known to Australians, they’ll understand oral health is an integral part of general health.”
