The most common method of protecting your smile from the hazards of gum disease is to control the buildup of dental plaque. Some of the germs that the sticky biofilm contains can lead to periodontal infection if not kept in check. As effective as modern gum disease treatment can be, the condition still affects more than 70% of adults in the US, and is the leading cause of adult tooth loss across the country. To help change the disturbing dynamic, researchers from the University of Pittsburgh have taken the fight behind the scenes of gum disease to address your body’s massive overreaction to oral bacteria.
The True Cause of Gum Damage
At last count, experts have identified over 600 different kinds of oral bacteria. They’ve also singled out Porphyromonas gingivalis as one of the major contributors to aggressive gum disease. The red, swollen, bleeding gums that mark the infection aren’t a direct result of P. gingivalis’ presence, but rather your body’s attempts to drive the germs out. Inflammation is a natural defense mechanism initiated by certain immune cells that target harmful microbes. P. gingivalis survives the raid by producing a molecule that hides it from attacking inflammatory cells, resulting in unchecked inflammation as your immune system keeps trying to find it. If not controlled, the excessive inflammation can destroy your gums, and damage the jawbone underneath, where your teeth’s roots are embedded.
Tipping the Balance in Your Favor
“Currently, we try to control the build-up of bacteria so it doesn’t trigger severe inflammation, which could eventually damage the bone and tissue that hold the teeth in place,” says the study’s co-author, Charles Sfeir, D.D.S., Ph.D. In a healthy mouth (one that’s not overrun by oral bacteria), a delicate balance between bacteria and immune cells helps prevent infection without the need for inflammation. According to Dr. Sfeir and senior author, Steven Little, Ph.D., a lot of evidence exists that shows patients with aggressive gum disease experience a lack of regulatory cells called T-cells. To fight infection without damaging sensitive tissues, your immune system produces T-cells that override the inflammatory response. During the study, the scientists created a system of polymer microspheres that release a signaling protein, or chemokine, to call T-cells to inflamed tissues. After applying the polymer between the teeth and gums of animals with gum disease, the researchers noted impressive improvement in gum pocket depth (the space created when gums separate from teeth), inflammation, and bone deterioration.
What You Can Do Now
Controlling your body’s reaction to harmful germs offers a promising avenue for future dental and medical treatments involving chronic inflammatory diseases. Until it’s perfected, however, you can keep your gums healthy and disease-free by brushing and flossing your teeth at least twice every day, and visiting your dentist at least once every six months for a thorough dental checkup and cleaning. To learn more about the dangers of gum disease and your options for protecting your smile, contact your dental professional today, or check out Dental Junkie for more information.