- CHICAGO – June 21, 2001 – Swollen joints and missing teeth often go hand in
hand, according to a new study in the Journal of Periodontology.
In the Australian study of 130 people, the 65 people who had
rheumatoid arthritis were more than twice as likely to have periodontal disease with
moderate to severe jawbone loss as the control subjects. In addition, they averaged 11.6
missing teeth, compared to 6.7 in the control group.
"Periodontal disease and rheumatoid arthritis have very similar pathologies,"
said Robert Genco, D.D.S.,
Ph.D., editor of the Journal of Periodontology. "Damage caused by the
immune system and chronic inflammation are central to both diseases. A better
understanding of the biological processes common to these diseases may help us find new
ways to treat them with medications that modify the body's response to inflammation."
At this point, researchers are not saying the relationship between the two diseases is
causal. However, some scientists think a bacterial infection may trigger the disease
process in some of the estimated 2.1 million people with rheumatoid
arthritis.
Some dental professionals had speculated that people with arthritis have more
periodontal disease because limited dexterity decreases oral hygiene. However, researchers
in this study found no difference in plaque deposits between the group with rheumatoid
arthritis and the control group, indicating that the progression of periodontal disease in
the arthritis group was due to factors other than a difference in oral hygiene.
"People with rheumatoid arthritis should take note of this connection," said Michael McGuire, D.D.S.,
president of the American Academy of Periodontology (AAP). "They should be on a close
lookout for signs of periodontal disease, such as red, swollen gums that bleed easily. The
earlier you detect periodontal disease and treat it, the better off you are."
A referral to a periodontist and free brochures including one titled Spread
the Word: Periodontal Care Is For Everyone are available by calling 800-FLOSS-EM or
visiting the AAP's Web site at www.perio.org.
The American Academy of Periodontology is a 7,500-member association of dental
professionals specializing in the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of diseases
affecting the gums and supporting structures of the teeth and in the placement and
maintenance of dental implants. Periodontics is one of nine dental specialties recognized
by the American Dental Association.
