Link Between Gum And Kidney Disease Identified
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- Published: Tuesday, 02 February 2021 09:19
- Written by Chris Tapper
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Researchers may have found the reason why gum disease and kidney disease affect each other.
A new study led by the University of Birmingham has shown that just a 10% increase in gum inflammation reduces kidney function by 3% in patients with chronic kidney disease. In this group of patients, a 3% reduction in kidney function would translate to a 32%-34% increase in the risk of kidney failure over a 5-year period.
The researchers think that the an imbalance in the body’s production of free radicals and its antioxidant cells could be a cause of the interaction between gum and kidney inflammation. Previous studies showed a link between severe oral inflammation caused by gum disease and chronic kidney disease. Inflammation has previously been thought to be the link between periodontitis and other systemic diseases, but this is the first time that a specific biological cause has been identified, called ‘oxidative stress.’ The researchers found there was an imbalance between reactive oxygen species and the body’s antioxidant capacity, which damages tissue at a cellular level.
Lead author, Dr Praveen Sharma from the Periodontal Research Group at the University of Birmingham’s School of Dentistry, said “This is the first paper to quantify the casual effect of periodontitis on kidney function and vice-versa as well as the first to elucidate the pathways involved.
He told the University of Birmingham website “It showed that even a modest reduction in gum inflammation can benefit renal function. Given the relative ease of achieving a 10% reduction in gum inflammation, through simple measures like correct brushing techniques and cleaning between the teeth, these results are very interesting.
“We hope that this research paves the way for further studies to see if improvements in kidney function, following periodontal care, translate to longer, healthier life for patients with chronic kidney disease. We would also hope that the hypothesis we have identified could be tested in other groups.”
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