Recent research has found that patients with the condition Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease are at an increased risk of developing Gum Disease. As Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease is a common condition, this is an important finding. Moreover, it demonstrates the importance of enhanced oral care for those with this condition.
A recent study has showed that patients with Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) have an increased risk for gum disease, including Periodontitis – the most severe form of gum disease [1].
This is an important finding, and it will hopefully lead to those with this disease being informed about the importance of taking extra care with their oral health.
Background
This research involved looking at GERD. GERD is a condition where acid from the stomach leaks up to the oesophagus – also known as the gullet [2]. Normally, this is due to a weakened muscle in the oesophagus.
GERD can cause symptoms such as heartburn and acid reflux – which causes an unpleasant taste in the back of the mouth [2].
The research also involved periodontitis. Periodontitis is a severe form of gum disease. It is a very common condition, with millions of people around the world suffering from it.
Redness of the gums, gum swelling, pain when chewing, tooth sensitivity and the gums pulling away from teeth are all common symptoms of periodontitis.
The Research
The research was carried out by a team from the China Medical University in Taiwan. Subsequently, their findings were published in the Biomedicines journal [1].
The team used data from Taiwan’s National Health Insurance Research Database between 2008 and 2018 [1]. This provided the team with significant data, including active diagnoses for those in the database.
The study involved a total of 20,125 participants. These participants all had a diagnosis of GERD, and were aged 40 and over. They were then matched with participants that did not have GERD [1].
The research team compared the two groups, and sought to see the levels of periodontitis in the two groups. If there was a strong disparity between the two groups in terms of how many had periodontitis, it would be fair to assume that there is certainly a link between GERD and periodontitis.
Indeed, after comparing the two groups, the researchers found that the incidence rate of periodontitis was much higher with those who had GERD, compared to those without the condition [1].
Per 1,000 person-years, there was an incidence rate of 30.0 versus 21.7 in favour of those with GERD [1]. This is a very high margin in incidence rate, which shows the clear connection between GERD and periodontitis.
Moreover, the researchers found that as a person ages, the chances of developing periodontitis gets higher. For example, those aged 40 to 54 have a lower incidence rate than those aged 55 to 69 [1].
Also, males are at a higher risk than females [1]. Finally, the more emergency room visits that a person needed for GERD, the higher their chances were of developing periodontitis [1].
These interesting findings provide a range of conclusions. The main conclusion is that there is a certainly a connection between those that have GERD and the development of periodontitis [1].
What this means
Periodontitis is very common, so having this knowledge is important. This research shows that GERD is certainly a condition that requires extra attention for oral health.
The results of this research highlight the importance of those with GERD looking after their oral health. While this is important anyway, this research shows that they need to adopt extra care and caution.
It is important for oral health professionals including dentists and hygienists to ensure any of their patients with GERD are made aware of the increased incidence of periodontitis.
This is also promoted by the authors, who note that “clinicians should pay more attention to the development of periodontitis while caring for patients with GERD” [3]. Furthermore, the authors note that “on the other hand, dentists may consider GERD as an etiology of unexplained periodontitis” [3].
This research is also another example of how physical health and oral health are intrinsically linked – which is a fact that many people are unfortunately unaware of.
Thinking points…
1) GERD is a very common condition. But this research shows that those with this condition ought to take extra care for their oral health. A crucial element of this is attending regular check-ups, as if gum disease is caught early, then its onset can be slowed. We strongly recommend making an appointment right away!
2) Do you, or someone you know, have GERD? This research shows the importance of taking extra precautions with oral health. We recommend brushing three times a day after meals, flossing at least once a day, and perhaps complimenting your existing care with mouth rinses. Here at Taradale Dental, we will ensure you receive expert advice and care at our Calgary Dental Clinic. You can see our homepage for more details on what we offer https://taradaledental.ca.
What we offer at Taradale Dental
Taradale Dental is a Calgary dental clinic that provide its patients a wide range of dental services.
It is very important to have excellent oral hygiene. This involves brushing your teeth at least twice a day, flossing regularly and eating healthily. Therefore, this should help your oral health.
We advise our patients to attend our Calgary dental clinic at least twice per year for a regular dental check-up. At these check-ups, we provide our patients with advice, and look for any problems. If problems are found, we have many treatments available. For example, these include cavity fillings and root canals.
Here at Taradale Dental, we also have some cosmetic treatments available! These include dental implants, teeth whitening and Invisalign™! Many people find that these treatments have a positive impact on their appearance, confidence and self-esteem.
Moreover, all of our services at our Calgary dental clinic Taradale Dental are set in line with the Alberta Dental Fee Guide. This ensures transparent and fair pricing.
We hope to see you soon at our Taradale Dental clinic in Calgary! You can find out more about us by visiting our website https://taradaledental.ca.
References
[1] Li, X., Chaouhan, H. S., Wang, Y-M., Wang, I-K., Lin, C-L., Shen, T-C., Li, C-Y., & Sun, K-T. (2022). Risk of Periodontitis in Patients with Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease: A Nationwide Retrospective Cohort Study. Biomedicines. 10 (11): 2980. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/biomedicines10112980.
[2] NHS Inform Scotland. (2022). Gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD). Available: https://www.nhsinform.scot/illnesses-and-conditions/stomach-liver-and-gastrointestinal-tract/gastro-oesophageal-reflux-disease-gord. Last accessed: 6th January 2023.
[3] Gotkine, E. (2022). Gastroesophageal reflux disease raises risk for periodontitis: Study. Available: https://medicalxpress.com/news/2022-12-gastroesophageal-reflux-disease-periodontitis.html. Last accessed: 6th January 2023.
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