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.

Researchers chart microbial ecology of the mouth at all stages of gum disease progression

Gingivitis, a common and mild form of gum disease can progress to periodontitis, a more serious infection that damages the soft tissue of the gums and sometimes even destroys the bone supporting the teeth.

12 Aug 2016

Cigarette smoke promotes bacteria colonization, immune invasion

The mouth is one of the "dirtiest" parts of the body, home to millions of germs. But puffing cigarettes can increase the likelihood that certain bacteria like Porphyromonas gingivalis will not only set up camp but will build a fortified city in the mouth and fight against the immune system.

1 Jun 2016

Specific oral microbiome linked to pancreatic cancer risk

The presence of certain bacteria in the mouth may reveal increased risk for pancreatic cancer and enable earlier, more precise treatment. This is the main finding of a study led by researchers at NYU Langone Medical Center and its Laura and Isaac Perlmutter Cancer Center to be presented April 19 in New Orleans at the annual meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research.

20 Apr 2016

FDA expands campaign to educate rural, white male teens about dangers of smokeless tobacco use

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced today it is expanding its award-winning "The Real Cost" campaign to educate rural, white male teenagers about the negative health consequences associated with smokeless tobacco use. For the first time, messages on the dangers of smokeless tobacco use – including nicotine addiction, gum disease, tooth loss, and multiple kinds of cancer – are being highlighted through the placement of advertisements in 35 U.S. markets specifically selected to reach the campaign's target audience.

20 Apr 2016

Bacteroidia pilins prevalent in human gut and mouth form new type of pili to cling to hosts

Many bacteria interact with their environment through hair-like structures known as pili, which attach to and help mediate infection of host organisms, among other things. Now a U.S.-Japanese research team, including scientists from the Department of Energy's SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory, has discovered that certain bacteria prevalent in the human gut and mouth assemble their pili in a previously unknown way - information that could potentially open up new ways of fighting infection.

12 Apr 2016

Antimicrobial silicon nitride holds promise as therapeutic aid for treating periodontitis

Severe gum disease known as periodontitis can lead to tooth loss, and treating it remains a challenge. But new approaches involving silicon nitride, a ceramic material used in spinal implants, could be on the way. The surface of silicon nitride has a lethal effect on the bacteria that commonly cause periodontitis. Now scientists, reporting in ACS' journal Langmuir, are examining why this happens. Their findings could help inform future efforts to treat the disease.

7 Apr 2016

Better oral hygiene, regular dental visits could slow down cognitive decline in older adults

Better oral hygiene and regular dental visits may play a role in slowing cognitive decline as people age, although evidence is not definitive enough to suggest that one causes the other.

2 Apr 2016

Periodontitis linked to greater rates of cognitive decline in Alzheimer's disease patients

A new study, jointly led by the University of Southampton and King's College London, has found a link between gum disease and greater rates of cognitive decline in people with early stages of Alzheimer's Disease.

11 Mar 2016

P. gingivalis could be a novel risk factor for esophageal cancer

University of Louisville School of Dentistry researchers have found a bacterial species responsible for gum disease, Porphyromonas gingivalis, is present in 61 percent of patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC).

27 Feb 2016

This No Smoking Day think of your oral health and kick the habit

Europe’s largest dental treatment provider, mydentist, is calling on smokers across the UK to quit on No Smoking Day for the good of their oral health.

24 Feb 2016

Patients with chronic kidney disease and periodontitis have higher mortality rate

New findings from the University of Birmingham show that patients with chronic kidney disease patients and periodontitis (severe gum disease) have a higher mortality rate than those with chronic kidney disease alone.

18 Feb 2016

Better understanding link between oral bacteria and certain types of stroke

In a study of patients entering the hospital for acute stroke, researchers have increased their understanding of an association between certain types of stroke and the presence of the oral bacteria (cnm-positive Streptococcus mutans).

17 Feb 2016

PDA encourages parents to help children develop healthy oral health habits

February once again brings National Children's Dental Health Month, an oral health campaign that helps educate children about the importance of maintaining good oral health and developing healthy habits that will carry into adulthood.

14 Feb 2016

Chattem’s ACT Advanced Care Mouthwash designated as 2016 Product of the Year

Chattem Inc., the U.S. consumer healthcare division of Sanofi, announced today that its ACT® Advanced Care™ Mouthwash has been named 2016 Product of the Year, the world's largest consumer-voted award for product innovation.

12 Feb 2016

Children at higher risk of developing cavities not getting needed preventive dental care

A landmark study of more than 97 million dental claims, conducted by Delta Dental Plans Association, found two-thirds of children who are at higher risk of developing cavities aren't getting recommended preventive dental care.

29 Dec 2015

Louisville researchers move closer to potential treatment for gum disease

University of Louisville researchers recently received a patent on a synthetic biochemical compound and its variants, moving science closer to a treatment for gum disease. This discovery could lead to the formulation of a mouth rinse or tooth varnish to prevent the pathogen, P. gingivalis from colonizing in the mouth and establishing itself orally.

17 Dec 2015

Saint Louis University receives NIH grant to investigate development of new drugs to treat bone diseases

David Griggs, Ph.D., director of biology at Saint Louis University's Center for World Health & Medicine, has received a $1 million R01 grant from the National Institutes of Health to investigate the development of what could be a new class of drugs to treat bone diseases.

30 Sep 2015

Regular smokers at increased risk of tooth loss, new study confirms

A new study has confirmed that regular smokers have a significantly increased risk of tooth loss. Male smokers are up to 3.6 times more likely to lose their teeth than non-smokers, whereas female smokers were found to be 2.5 times more likely.

15 Sep 2015

Aspen Dental opens new office in Richmond, Kentucky

A new Aspen Dental is opening in Richmond, Kentucky on Thursday, September 17. Located at 1072 Barnes Mill Road, the conveniently-located practice will provide dental services that range from dentures and preventive care to general dentistry and restoration.

11 Sep 2015

Survey: Many older Americans lack access to oral healthcare

The older adult population in the United States is rapidly increasing, with 10,000 Americans reaching retirement age every day, but many face barriers when it comes to accessing oral healthcare. According to a survey conducted by Harris Poll on behalf of Oral Health America, more than half of low income older adults have not seen a dentist in the past year, with most citing lack of income or lack of dental insurance as the reason.

2 Sep 2015