When people think of gum disease, tooth loss might be the first concern that comes to mind. But did you know that untreated gum disease can also hint at severe issues elsewhere in the body?
Gum disease, also known as periodontal disease, increases with age, affecting 50% of individuals aged 60. However, what’s even more alarming is its link to severe health conditions.
When gum disease is left untreated, it can intensify the risks associated with heart failure in type 2 diabetes patients, heighten the probability of stroke in those with cardiovascular diseases, escalate the severity of rheumatoid arthritis, and increase risks in patients with emphysema (COPD).
Therefore, detecting and treating gum disease promptly becomes crucial, especially for those with these health conditions.
Current Detection Methods
Traditionally, detecting gum disease is reserved for the dentist’s chair. Dental professionals keep an eye out for signs like gum bleeding, swelling, tooth sensitivity, or movement. But this method may not always catch the disease in its early stages.
Enter researchers from the University of Birmingham, who are taking gum disease detection to the next level.
Prof. Tim Albrecht from the School of Chemistry and Dr. Melissa Grant from the School of Dentistry are pioneering a technique that uses saliva to rapidly detect gum disease’s presence and determine its severity.
They’re developing a unique probe coupled with a detector that zeroes in on specific biomarkers, indicators that point to gum disease.
The significance? This probe can detect gum disease in various healthcare settings, allowing for quick interventions, especially for patients with other health conditions, where rapid treatment can be crucial.
As Dr. Grant points out, this real-time monitoring can pinpoint disease severity, especially when it transitions between mild and severe stages. Not only will this benefit dental health, but it could also save lives and reduce healthcare costs.
Looking Ahead
The long-term vision for this research is fascinating. The team envisions creating a probe so small that it can be inserted into the tiny spaces between teeth and gums.
This would allow dental professionals to collect fluid from specific mouth areas, offering precise identification of infection sites.
In essence, this innovative saliva test doesn’t just promise better dental health.
It has the potential to revolutionize healthcare, providing early warnings for several severe conditions, and ensuring timely interventions that can genuinely be life-saving.
If you care about dental health, please read studies about best food for tooth and gum health, and how to prevent and reverse gum disease.
For more information about dental health, please see recent studies about diabetes and gum disease, and results showing this diet could help treat gum disease.
The study was published in the Journal of Clinical Periodontology.
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