Dentist Lucy Stock of Gentle Dental Care in Belfast says new research has linked prostate and gum problems
NOW it appears that looking after your gums can have far-reaching affects for prostrate health - a US university has just released research which shows how treating gum disease reduced symptoms of prostate inflammation in men. Inflammation of the prostate gland is a condition called prostatitis. The prostate gland helps to create semen and lies between the penis and the bladder. Prostatitis can develop in men of all ages and give symptoms including pain when urinating, pain when ejaculating or a frequent need to pee. "This study shows that if we treat gum disease, it can improve the symptoms of prostatitis and the quality of life for those who have the disease," said Nabil Bissada who conducted the study. Prostatitis is measured by a blood test which looks for the levels of a protein produced exclusively by the prostate called PSA (Prostate-specific antigen).
So the lower the level the healthier the prostate. All the men in the study had moderate to severe gum disease. After dental treatment they were tested again for gum disease four to eight weeks later and showed significant improvement in their gum health. During the treatment for their gums the men received no treatment for their prostate conditions. But even without prostate treatment, 21 of the 27 men showed decreased levels of PSA at the end of the study.
This study again backs up the concept that gum disease not only affects the mouth, but is a system-wide condition that causes inflammation in various parts of the body. The same university has previously found a link between gum disease and foetal deaths, rheumatoid arthritis and heart disease.
The scientists hope to make gum treatments a standard part of treating prostate disease, much like cardiac patients are often encouraged to visit their dentist before undergoing heart procedures and a dental check-up is advised for pregnant women.
Gum infections are characterised by red, swollen, bleeding, receded gums and bad breath and loose teeth. You don't need to have all these symptoms to be suffering from gum disease. First port of call is a visit to the dentist who can assess the stage of the disease and suggest the appropriate treatments. Just using mouth washes or brushing more, in general, is not enough to kick a gum infection into touch.