Study: Gum disease affects whole body

Healthy gums make a healthy mouth, but diseased gums may create an unhealthy body, according to a new study.

According to researchers at the University of Toronto, oral disease could make all inflammatory conditions worse throughout the body. That would include diabetes, COVID-19, and even Alzheimer’s disease.

Key immune cells, called neutrophils, go to work when the body senses infection or trauma.

Researchers found that an acute oral infection quickly creates a flood of neutrophil production, but not just in the mouth, according to the study, published in The Journal of Dental Research.

Using animal and human models, researchers found elevated neutrophil counts in the bloodstream, colon, and bone marrow, as well as the mouth.

Amped-up neutrophils can cause cytokine storms, a severe immune reaction in which the body floods itself with cytokines. These are small proteins that have a host of different functions, but, in some cases, promote inflammation. This can make the person suffering from gum disease more likely to have poor outcomes from COVID-19 and can worsen other diseases.

Best advice: Brush daily, floss and visit a dentist to make sure your gums are healthy.