Gum Disease Can Cause Unforeseen Medical Problems

There is increasing evidence that supports the link between gum disease to many uncorrelated health problems including Alzheimer’s, cancer, and respiratory diseases. Gum disease or periodontal disease is widespread and causes discomfort. In fact, according to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), some form of gum disease afflicts almost half of the adults in the US.

What causes gum disease?

Your teeth, if not appropriately brushed, can accumulate plaque—a sticky, whitish bacterial film—that irritates gums thereby causing gum swelling, soreness, and in severe cases gingivitis or infection in the gums. Gum disease is easily prevented by practicing good oral hygiene. If ignored, advanced gum disease can attack the gum and bone around the teeth.

How is gum disease linked to other medical problems?

Gum disease and cognitive decline of the brain

A few studies have found a credible link between periodontal disease, tooth loss, and loss of cognitive function. One of the studies that measured the cognitive performance of 597 men for 32 years reached the following conclusion: “Risk of cognitive decline in older men increases as more teeth are lost. Periodontal disease and caries, major reasons for tooth loss, are also related to cognitive decline.”

Researchers also found that increased bacterial plaque leads to a buildup of beta-amyloid in the brain which progresses as Alzheimer’s disease. A common periodontitis bacterium called Porphyromonas gingivalis is often found in the brains of Alzheimer’s patients, and it also elevates the beta-amyloid production. However, a study focused on a protease enzyme named gingipain found that it attacks the tau proteins that keep Alzheimer’s at bay.

Inflammation in the cardiovascular system

Many patients having heart disease may also have symptoms of gum disease. Most heart diseases are linked to bad lifestyle choices such as chain-smoking and heavy alcohol intake, but also manifest as oral diseases.

It is theorized that inflammation, which occurs as a protective reaction to irritants or pathogens, could be the link. Long-term inflammation leads to tissue, muscle, and organ damage. Inflamed gums could result in an inflamed cardiovascular system.

Another popular theory is bacterial interference, which spreads by the gum bacteria entering the bloodstream and reaches many organs, specifically the heart, causing inflammation and damage to the organ. Evidence indicates that P. gingivalis is the most common bacteria found in the coronary artery.

Heightened risk of Cancer

A 2008 study found a link between gum disease and cancer by examining 48,375 men suffering from tooth loss and cancer. It found that “Periodontal disease was associated with a small, but significant, increase in overall cancer risk.”

A recent study published in the journal Nature analyzed more than 68,000 adults discovered a link between gum disease and increased risk of cancer especially pancreatic cancer. As per the study a gum bacteria named Treponema denticola was detected in certain tumors of the gastrointestinal system. This bacterium produced an enzyme called T. denticola chymotrypsin-like proteinase, which not only enabled the bacterium to infest gum tissues but also activated other cancer-promoting enzymes in the cells of healthy tissue. However, the study found no conclusive evidence linking cancer to gum disease.

The link between gum disease and erectile dysfunction

Erectile dysfunction is reasonably common in men above the age of 40. About 50 percent of men experience this psychological and physiological malady. It is primarily caused by lifestyle choices such as chain-smoking, alcoholism, and hypertension. Available evidence supports the possibility that periodontal disease increases the risk of erectile dysfunction.

A study in 2016 identified a connection between erectile dysfunction and chronic periodontitis, stating that, “… physicians should refer patients with [erectile dysfunction] to oral healthcare providers for a comprehensive oral evaluation and treatment.”

As both gum disease and erectile dysfunction share common causes like smoking, stress, and alcohol, it is difficult to pinpoint which leads to what disease. However, there are many ways one influences the other. For instance, gum disease is caused by inflammatory bacteria, which can spread to other body parts via the bloodstream, which is sustained by blood vessels.

The compromised blood vessel linings weaken the smooth muscles inside the delicate pathways, and cause structural stress or endothelial dysfunction, which tenses those muscles. Stressed endothelial muscles prevent vasodilation in the penis thereby affecting erections. Endothelial stress causes further inflammation and exacerbates the problem.

Gum disease reduces respiratory function

Gum disease afflicts the mouth, and often people tend to breathe through their mouths. A February 2019 study analyzed the records of 1,380 men and found that chronic periodontitis and a reduction in respiratory function are linked. Even when the smoking subjects limited their consumption, the findings didn’t change.

Inflammation remains the main perpetrator which causes both these illnesses. The inflammation bacteria and the enzymes they produce travel to the lungs and cause inflammation in the tubes of the lungs. As the tubes are now narrower than they used to be, the standard air flow into and out of the lungs gets reduced.

You need not get overly anxious about gum disease. A proper dental routine to maintain dental hygiene will prevent gum disease and reduce your possibility of developing severe medical issues. Even if there is a problem, always ensure early diagnosis and treatment.