Gum Disease News and Research

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Gum disease or periodontal disease is an infection caused by bacteria under the gum tissue that begin to destroy the gums and bone. Teeth become loose, chewing becomes difficult, and teeth may have to be extracted. Gum disease may also be related to damage elsewhere in the body; recent studies point to associations between such oral infections and diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and preterm, low-weight births. Research is underway to further examine these connections.

Treating gum disease during AFib blanking period could reduce recurrence risk

Study evaluates whether treating periodontitis during the blanking period after atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation reduces AF recurrence, revealing that comprehensive periodontal care may significantly diminish recurrence rates by addressing inflammation linked to periodontitis.

12 Apr 2024

Periodontal treatment after heart rhythm ablation may reduce AFib recurrence

Treating gum disease in the 3-months after a procedure to correct an irregular heartbeat known as atrial fibrillation (AFib) may lower oral inflammation and may reduce AFib recurrence, according to new research published today in the Journal of the American Heart Association, an open access, peer-reviewed journal of the American Heart Association.

10 Apr 2024

Poor oral health linked to negative long-term systemic health outcomes

Those who report having poor oral health are as likely to have negative long-term systemic health outcomes as those previously diagnosed with periodontal disease, or gum disease, according to a new Tufts University School of Dental Medicine study published in The Journal of the American Dental Association.

8 Apr 2024

Study unveils link between oral bacteria and pancreatic cancer development in mice

New study unveils a significant connection between oral bacteria and pancreatic cancer development in mice and sheds light on a previously recognized link between oral health and pancreatic cancer, one of the deadliest forms of cancer.

26 Mar 2024

Statins show promise in reducing gum disease inflammation

Could taking statins benefit your mouth in addition to your arteries? A new study conducted in cell cultures showed that cholesterol-lowering drugs help to dampen the inflammation associated with periodontal disease by altering the behavior of macrophages, a type of immune cell.

25 Mar 2024

Antiseptic mouthwash reduces periodontitis bacteria in diabetes patients

More than bad breath, there is growing evidence that ongoing inflammation in the mouth, like with gum disease, is associated with serious diseases such as Alzheimer's disease or type 2 diabetes.

14 Feb 2024

Combined approach needed to address oral health inequalities and systemic health burden

'Time to put your money where your mouth is: addressing inequalities in oral health' is the new Economist Impact white paper published today, commissioned by the EFP (European Federation of Periodontology) with support from Haleon.

13 Feb 2024

New research links oral health to happiness in older adults

In humans, oral health influences general health and well-being in many ways. Other than reducing the need for oral rehabilitation later in life, maintaining good oral health reduces the risk of several systemic diseases.

30 Jan 2024

"Healthy Smiles, Healthy Hearts" initiative bridges oral health and heart health

A patient's oral health can be an indicator of overall health and well-being. Research shows that chronic gum inflammation may be associated with other chronic diseases including coronary artery disease and diabetes.

16 Jan 2024

Gum bacteria fuel COPD through immune cell activation

Severe gum disease has been linked to the progression of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or COPD, but an understanding of how the connection plays out in the immune system remains unclear.

12 Jan 2024

Non-invasive monitoring of glucose and adenosine monophosphate biomarkers in saliva

Blood tests are a common, yet often painful, step in health care. But what if we could skip the needles altogether? Saliva and blood contain many of the same biomarkers, and collecting spit is as simple as drooling into a container.

29 Nov 2023

New device can warn about early risks of tooth decay from gingivitis and periodontitis

Engineers at the University of Cincinnati have developed a new device that can warn consumers about early risks of tooth decay from diseases such as gingivitis and periodontitis.

8 Sep 2023

Vaping e-cigarettes can be as harmful to gum and oral health as smoking traditional cigarettes

For years, it has been known that smoking can contribute to serious damage on gum and oral health, with smokers having more gum diseases, more tooth loss, and increased levels of oral cancer.

7 Sep 2023

Computer algorithms could help track and diagnose periodontal disease

Periodontal disease is a growing public health issue in the United States as the nation's population ages, yet it's underdiagnosed and undertreated.

1 Aug 2023

Overdosed gene on chromosome 21 accelerates aging in people with Down's syndrome

An overdosed gene on chromosome 21 causes people with Down's Syndrome to age faster than the general population.

12 Jul 2023

Gum disease and tooth loss linked to brain shrinkage

Taking good care of your teeth may be linked to better brain health, according to a study published in the July 5, 2023, online issue of Neurology, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology.

5 Jul 2023

Newly discovered bacterial species can have a major role in causing tooth decay

Collaborating researchers from the University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine and the Adams School of Dentistry and Gillings School of Global Public Health at the University of North Carolina have discovered that a bacterial species called Selenomonas sputigena can have a major role in causing tooth decay.

8 Jun 2023

Gut bacteria toxins: A hidden trigger for Parkinson's disease?

Gut dysfunction and the presence of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) endotoxins contribute to the pathogenesis of Parkinson's disease (PD), leading to neuroinflammation and neurodegeneration. Modulating the gut microbiome and reducing LPS levels may hold potential as treatment strategies for PD.

24 May 2023

Gum Health Day 2023 campaign focuses on aesthetics and wellbeing

Keeping gums healthy and regularly checked is an integral part of everybody's general health as scientific evidence shows a clear association between gum disease and many serious, chronic conditions including diabetes, cardiovascular disease.

25 Apr 2023

SSB taxes can meaningfully improve diet and health, generate cost savings

Oakland residents have bought fewer sugary beverages since a local "soda tax" went into effect, and that is likely improving their health and saving the city money, a new UC San Francisco study found.

18 Apr 2023