Healthy Mouth Causes Gum Disease?

Healthy Mouth Bacteria Provide Ideal
Conditions for Gum Disease

New research from the school of Dentistry Queen Mary, University
of London has found that normal bacteria which live in our mouths provide the catalyst for the development of gum disease, a debilitating condition which leads to painful gums, bleeding, potential loosening and loss of teeth.

The unexpected finding could pave the way for the development of new preventative measures in treating periodontal disease, by manipulating
the normal bacteria in the same way that probiotic yogurt works to protect the intestine.

Researchers at Queen Mary's Blizard Institute worked with scientists in the US and published their findings in the journal "Cell Host and Microbe."

The scientists introduced the oral bacterium Porphyromonas gingivalis to laboratory mice living in two different test conditions. The mice with normal bacteria in their mouths developed periodontal bone loss but the mice raised under germ-free conditions, in the absence of any normal bacteria, remained disease-free.

When the oral bacterium P. gingivalis was introduced under normal conditions "it stimulated the growth of normal bacteria leading to a large increase in the number of those organisms already there."

"P. gingivalis was introduced at very low levels yet it had a major affect on both the immune system and the inflammatory system," the researchers said.

This oral bacterium only appears in small amounts but appears to have a major influence on the overall ecology in the mouth.

The researchers explained, although the findings were encouraging in terms of understanding the way gum disease develops, there was still "some way to go" before there was a similar product on the market for
gum disease as a probiotic yogurt is available for the intestine.

"Now we know that periodontal disease only develops through P. gingivalis interacting with the existing bacteria in our mouths, we need to understand the role played by our normal bacteria in both the development of disease and protection from it," they said.

"This may then provide the means to develop preventative measures for the disease." they added.

"The public still need to be mindful of the way they look after their teeth and gums. People need to pay more attention to their oral hygiene. Their local hygienist, dental therapist and dentist can all assist in teaching them effective cleaning techniques."

"Just these simple preventative measures, as well as not smoking, will go some way to helping them avoid developing gum disease."

Journal Reference:

The Relationship of the Oral Microbiotia to Periodontal Health and Disease. Cell Host and Microbe, 2011;

Story Source: Queen Mary, University of London (2011, October 27). Healthy mouth bacteria provide ideal conditions for gum disease.

This article is for informational and educational purposes only, and is not intended to provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Contact your doctor or healthcare professional for medical and nutritional consultation.