Current research shows that the role of periodontal disease may have even more of an impact on overall health than previously thought.
We are learning more and more about how the mouth is connected to the rest of the body. Current research makes it evident that respiratory disease must be added to the growing list of systemic, inflammatory disease states that may be impacted by periodontal disease. Other research points to the possible link between gum disease and anemia, suggesting that proteins produced as a result of chronic periodontitis negatively react with the blood and decrease red blood cell production. Different studies suggest that women with tooth loss caused by gum disease may experience higher incidences of breast cancer. Poor oral care also has been associated with memory loss and early onset Alzheimer’s disease.
The emerging concept of systems biology fundamentally states that no part of our body is in isolation. This is evident by the fact that we have been able to harness and develop salivary biomarker panels for systemic diseases including pancreatic, breast and lung cancers.
Burning Mouth Syndrome Linked to Menopause
Symptoms-a burning sensation on the roof of the mouth and the tongue, most likely affected 7:1-menopausal and post-menopausal women. Suspect that is may be a neuropathic condition caused by miscommunication between the nerves and brain that results in a failure to turn off the oral pain receptors. Because the receptors are not turned off, the sufferers experience a burning sensation, a dry and gritty feeling in the mouth and a change in taste.
The Link Between Periodontal Disease and Upper Respiratory Diseases
The bacteria that are inhaled into the lungs causing pneumonia, acute bronchitis and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease also cause gum disease—porphyromonas gingivitis. Current research suspects that the inflammatory response diminishes the host defense, thereby increasing one’s risk for infection. “Burdens the systemic inflammatory system”
Reducing Women’s Risk of Heart Disease
Due to the protective effect of estrogen and other factors, women develop heart disease approximately 10 years later than men do. Women who receive dental care at the time they are experiencing menopause may receive a greater protective effect than men.
HPV in Tumors Predicts Survival From Throat Cancer
The prevalence of HPV related throat cancer is increasing in the US and other Western countries. This rise in incidence is due to changing sexual behavior. Patients with HPV-related throat cancer have on average a higher number of sex partners, particularly the number of oral sex partners. The presence of HPV, which is known to cause cervical cancer in women, appears to be the best indicator of whether those diagnosed with oropharyngeal cancer will survive. Researchers analyzed Stage 3 and 4 tumors, with results demonstrating the presence of HPV coincided with a better response to traditional cancer therapies then other factors, such as age and tumor size. Smoking was the second leading predictor of survival.
HPV related throat cancer differs from smoking-induced head-and-neck cancers in many ways. The majority of patients with HPV positive throat carcinomas are middle-aged white men, with higher socioeconomic status, consume no or a relatively low quantity of tobacco and/or alcohol and have slightly smaller tumors at time of diagnosis.
Of note, the vast majority of sexually active people have been exposed to HPV infection while only a few individuals develop throat cancer.
Biomarkers in Saliva Help Detect Early-Stage Pancreatic Cancer
The onset and presence of systemic disease found in saliva is extremely significant. Saliva and its constituent biomarkers can be used for early detection, monitoring disease progression and predicting therapeutic outcomes. The uses of salivary biomarkers for medical application are here. There is no need to replace blood chemistries for disease detection, however; salivary biomarkers for disease detection are particularly cancer, is emerging where blood markers are still elusive.
For example, pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma is the most common pancreatic cancer and considered the most deadly. It has been found that salivary diagnostics may be helpful in the fight against this form of pancreatic cancer. Changes in human saliva are connected to changes in the presence of early-stage pancreatic cancer. The most surprising finding is that every systemic disease studied (pancreatic, breast, lung, gastric and ovarian cancers) has yielded highly discriminatory salivary biomarkers.
Potential Link between Periodontal Disease and Prostatitis
Periodontitis may contribute to an increased level of PSA (prostate specific antigen). Men who presented with both severe periodontitis and prostatitis had significantly higher levels of PSA than those with only periodontitis or prostatitis alone.
Dr. Caroline Wallace DDS
Complete Dental Care
103 South Colorado Street
Salem, Virginia, 24153
540-387-3844
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