Periodontal disease is said to be the only lifestyle-related disease in the mouth, and is not only a disease in the mouth, but is also deeply related to lifestyle-related diseases and other diseases. In this article, we will introduce six diseases that can be induced by periodontal disease, so please use this as a reference.

Periodontal disease and overall health

Recent research has revealed that periodontal disease is related to and triggered by physical illnesses such as smoking, stress, and diabetes. We will explain the relationship between periodontal disease and overall health, along with related illnesses.

1. Periodontal disease and heart disease

There is a strong correlation between periodontal disease and heart disease, and a study in the United States has revealed that bacteria that cause periodontal disease clog the blood vessels of the heart and damage the cells of the blood vessels of the heart. When cells affected by arteriosclerosis or aortic aneurysms are examined, many periodontal disease-related bacteria (such as Pg bacteria = Porphyromonas gingivalis) are detected.

2. Periodontal disease and diabetes

Diabetic patients have high blood sugar levels and fragile capillaries. Therefore, compared to non-diabetic patients, it has been reported that they are more susceptible to gingivitis if they neglect daily oral care, and more susceptible to severe periodontal disease if left untreated.

3. Periodontal disease and pneumonia

The Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare reports that pneumonia is the number one cause of death among the elderly (over 65 years old). Among pneumonia, the type in which bacteria in the mouth enter the lungs and cause inflammation is called aspiration pneumonia or swallowing pneumonia. As people age, the strength of the throat muscles required to swallow food decreases, and food that would normally go into the esophagus often ends up in the bronchi. Periodontal disease-causing bacteria (such as anaerobic gram-negative bacilli) are frequently found in the lungs of patients with aspiration pneumonia, so there is a strong correlation between periodontal disease and pneumonia.

4. Periodontal disease and osteoporosis

It has been reported that patients with osteoporosis lose the bone that supports the teeth (alveolar bone resorption) more quickly and develop periodontal disease more quickly than patients without it. In addition, losing teeth due to periodontal disease weakens the ability to chew food and makes it difficult to eat a balanced diet, which leads to a decrease in bone density throughout the body and a vicious cycle.

5. Periodontal disease and premature birth

It has been reported that pregnant women with periodontal disease have a higher chance of premature birth when compared to those without. As periodontal disease progresses and gum inflammation intensifies, the amount of prostaglandin E2 in periodontal tissues increases. This prostaglandin E2 is used as an analgesic agent and is said to cause premature birth by promoting uterine contractions and cervical dilation. In the United States, there have been many reports on the relationship between periodontal disease and premature birth, and when the mouths of pregnant women who have had premature births were examined, a high proportion had severe periodontal disease, which is thought to be influenced by large amounts of prostaglandin E2.

6. Periodontal disease and Buerger's disease

Buerger's disease is a disease in which blood vessels in the extremities of the hands and feet become clogged, causing inflammation and resulting in pain and ulcers on the skin. There is a strong connection between Buerger's disease and periodontal disease, and all patients with Buerger's disease were diagnosed with periodontal disease, with the progression of the disease ranging from moderate to severe. Blood samples were taken from blood vessels in the area of ​​pain or ulcers, and tests were performed. Periodontal disease bacteria were detected in the blood, but not in normal areas. It has been reported that periodontal disease bacteria are prone to forming blood clots and invade cells inside the skin. It is believed that the periodontal disease bacteria do not remain in the mouth, but spread throughout the body, causing Buerger's disease in the worst case scenario.

Summary

I hope you understand that periodontal disease is the only lifestyle-related disease in the mouth, and that it is deeply connected to the health of the entire body. This disease worsens the symptoms of the other, so if you treat only one of them, you will not get good results. Now that we are talking about team medical care, it is important to have a friendly hospital where both dentistry and medicine work together.