A study from the University of Birmingham has revealed that an imbalance of the body’s oxygen-producing free radicals and its antioxidant cells could be the answer as to why gum disease and chronic kidney disease affect each other.
A University of Birmingham press release reported that the study of over 700 patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) were examined physically, orally, and had blood samples analysed to test the theory that gum disease, or periodontal inflammation, and kidney function affect each other, and to find the reasons why this may be.
There have been previous studies that have revealed a link between the severe oral inflammation caused by gum disease and CKD, and that the more severe the gum inflammation, the worse the kidney function.
Periodontitis – or gum disease – is a common, inflammatory disease which causes bleeding gums, wobbly or drifting teeth and can eventually result in tooth loss.
Previous studies also showed that those with CKD and periodontitis had decreased survival rates, similar to if they had diabetes, which suggests that gum inflammation may casually affect kidney function.
The new study showed that a 10 per cent increase in gum inflammation will reduce kidney function by three per cent, and a three per cent decrease in kidney function can indicate a risk in kidney failure over a five-year period from 32 to 34 per cent.
The results also showed that a 10 per cent reduction in kidney function increases periodontal inflammation by 25 per cent.
Researchers found for the first time the effect was caused by a biological process called ‘oxidative stress’ – or, an imbalance between reactive oxygen species and the body’s antioxidant capacity which damages tissues on 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 causal effect of periodontitis on kidney function and vice-versa as well as the first to elucidate the pathways involved.
“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.”
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