Periodontal Disease, a Chronic Inflammatory Gum Condition, Linked to Other Health Risks

Professor Ciancio shares insights on impact of gum disease on general health and peri-implant tissues at AEEDC 2011

Dubai: 11 April, 2011 - Professor Sebastian Ciancio, leading expert in gum disease and oral health, presented recent clinical evidence on the impact of gum disease to other health risks such as heart disease and pregnancy complications during AEEDC 2011 held in Dubai.

The presentation's objective was to educate the audience about research findings which support the fact that infectious agents in the mouth can play havoc elsewhere in the body. For a long time it was thought that bacteria was the factor that linked periodontal disease to other health issues. However, more recent research demonstrates that both bacteria and inflammation may link periodontal disease to other chronic conditions such as heart disease.

In people who suffer from such systemic diseases as diabetes or heart disease, in addition to periodontal disease, there is both a local inflammatory response in the gums and a systemic inflammatory response throughout the body. Treating the individual's periodontal disease reduces overall inflammation, which may help alleviate some of the symptoms from their other disease.

During his presentation at AEEDC 2011, Professor Sebastian Ciancio, a distinguished Service Professor and Chair, Department of Periodontics and Endodontics, Adjunct Professor of Pharmacology, Schools of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Buffalo, State University of New York (DDS, FICD), covered a variety of topics. He shared insights on the impact of gum disease on general health, effect of essential oil-containing mouth rinses in decreasing risk of inflammation, and the additional benefits they confer such as reducing risk of gingivitis in peri-implant tissues.

A study at Buffalo Veterans Administration Medical Center conducted by Professor Ciancio and colleagues showed that subjects using Listerine, an essential oil-containing mouthrinse, twice daily, had significant reductions in peri-implant mucositis compared with the control group.

During the presentation, Professor Ciancio said: "Studies show that women who have had periodontal disease are more likely to deliver pre-term and/or low birth weight (PLBW) babies. Periodontal diseases are also likely to exacerbate inflammation leading to atherosclerosis, a risk factor for heart disease. Positive associations may result from treating periodontal disease as a means of ameliorating systemic diseases.

"To maintain optimal oral hygiene and reduce risk of periodontal disease, the American Dental Association recommends addition of an antimicrobial mouth rinse to daily oral hygiene regimens of brushing and flossing. This is specifically advised as the mouth rinse formulation can penetrate plaque biofilm and exert a bactericidal activity on the organisms contained therein."

Dr. Ciancio further highlighted two new studies, published in 2010 and 2011 by Fine et al, which demonstrated that two weeks of rinsing with an essential oil mouth rinse significantly reduced bacteraemia in patients with gingivitis.

Maintaining good oral hygiene through daily brushing, flossing and use of mouth rinses helps eliminate the aetiological factors responsible for pathology of the oral cavity, as well as resulting in a positive effect on markers of systemic diseases. The antimicrobial effect of the combined elements operates selectively against the anaerobic bacteria that have been implicated in plaque formation, gingivitis and periodontitis. Prophylactic essential oil-containing mouth rinse has been clinically effective in reducing plaque, inflammation and caries, while helping control and prevent inflammation.

Sponsored by Johnson & Johnson Oral Care, the 15th edition of the UAE International Dental Conference and Arab Dental Exhibition (AEEDC Dubai) was held at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre from 1 - 3 February 2011.

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For more information's please contact:
Dr Sabah Al-Lawati
Mobile: +44(0)07932007358
Email: sabah.allawati@yahoo.co.uk

Sara Darwish
Mobile: +971 50 3839342
Email: Sara.darwish@jiwin.ae