Gum Disease and Oral Bone Loss Linked in Women

Gum disease is always serious, but it appears to be even more serious for women. A recent study published in the Journal of Periodontology came to the conclusion women who were infected with bacteria that has been linked to periodontal disease were much more likely to suffer oral bone loss than women where that bacteria was not present.

An additional study was conducted by epidemiologists at the State University of New York at Buffalo. This study looked at 1,256 postmenopausal women in the Buffalo area. They received a thorough oral health examination, including having their physical measurements taken and bone-density testing.

When the women were examined, they found eight predominant bacterial species present in the women. They were, in order of presence:

·Streptococcus sanguis

·Prevotella intermedia

·Tannerella forsythensis

·Capnocytophaga species

·Eubacterium saburreum

·Campylobacter rectus

·Porphyromonas gingivalis

·Fusobacterium nucleatum

Of those bacteria, P. gingivalis, T. forsythensis, P. intermedia, and C. rectus were all associated with women who were more likely to suffer from oral bone loss. This conclusion was made even after the study adjusted the results taking the women’s age, income, and smoking into consideration.

Another result of the study found that women who were obese and had the Tannerella forsythensis present were more prone to oral bone loss than women that were not overweight with the same bacteria present.

Doctors are hopeful the results of this study will give them a better understanding of how periodontal disease develops in women. They also hope to have a better understanding of how various health conditions, such as age and weight, also affect how the bacteria impact a woman’s oral health.

This is just more proof that as we get older, significant oral health problems can develop from a variety of other conditions. In this study, it showed how important physical health is for women, as overweight women were more prone to oral bone loss due to a specific bacteria.

It is for that very reason we recommend regular visits to your dentist and primary care physician. It may also be a good idea to keep them both informed about health conditions revealed by the other doctor. Meaning, if you have some type of gum disease, make sure your primary care physician is made aware of it so he or she can check for linked health conditions. And, if you have health problems, make sure your dentist is aware so he or she can check for specific oral health problems that may develop because of your regular health problems.

We realize going to the dentist more can cost more money, which is why we want you to check out or New Hampshire discount dental plan. Our plans can help you save as much as 20 percent off your dental bills. For more information, click here.

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