Gum disease associated with kidney disease deaths

New research reveals that patients with chronic kidney disease who also have severe gum disease or periodontitis have a higher risk of death than chronic kidney disease patients with healthy gums. The study - led by the University of Birmingham in the UK and published in the Journal of Clinical Periodontology - provides further evidence of a link between oral health and chronic diseases, say the authors.
Senior author Iain Chapple, a professor in periodontology, says we should be aware that oral health is not just about teeth, and:"The mouth is the doorway to the body, rather than a separate organ, and is the access point for bacteria to enter the bloodstream via the gums."
He and his colleagues analyzed data from 13,734 people living in the US who took part in the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES III).
Periodontitis is a serious, chronic, non-communicable gum infection that damages the soft tissue and bone that supports the teeth. It is the sixth most common human disease and affects around 11.2 per cent of the world's population.
The researchers note that kidney disease and other non-communicable disease are becoming more common - partly because the world's population is getting older, lifestyles are becoming less physically active and diets more refined.
The increase in these diseases is adding to global disease burden and health care costs: evidence suggests 92 per cent of older adults now have at least one chronic disease.
Prof. Chapple explains that many people who have gum disease do not realize they have it. Perhaps they notice a bit of blood in their spit when they brush their teeth.
Medical News Today

Gum disease associated with kidney disease deaths

New research reveals that patients with chronic kidney disease who also have severe gum disease or periodontitis have a higher risk of death than chronic kidney disease patients with healthy gums. The study - led by the University of Birmingham in the UK and published in the Journal of Clinical Periodontology - provides further evidence of a link between oral health and chronic diseases, say the authors. Senior author Iain Chapple, a professor in periodontology, says we should be aware that oral health is not just about teeth, and:The mouth is the doorway to the body, rather than a separate organ, and is the access point for bacteria to enter the bloodstream via the gums. He and his colleagues analyzed data from 13,734 people living in the US who took part in the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES III). Periodontitis is a serious, chronic, non-communicable gum infection that damages the soft tissue and bone that supports the teeth. It is the sixth most common human disease and affects around 11.2 per cent of the worlds population. The researchers note that kidney disease and other non-communicable disease are becoming more common - partly because the worlds population is getting older, lifestyles are becoming less physically active and diets more refined. The increase in these diseases is adding to global disease burden and health care costs: evidence suggests 92 per cent of older adults now have at least one chronic disease. Prof. Chapple explains that many people who have gum disease do not realize they have it. Perhaps they notice a bit of blood in their spit when they brush their teeth. Medical News Today