Periodontitis, the Silent Killer

Yes I am talking about a disease which is mostly neglected by patients and even some physicians. I am talking about Periodontal disease otherwise known as gum disease the number one cause of tooth loss in the world.

The high prevalence of diabetes, with poor control of blood sugar, blood pressure and lipids is believed to be the reason for the highest rate of heart disease , the largest killer disease in Kerala. You will be surprised to know that this is double that of USA and six times that of Japan and China.

It is now a well established fact that Incidences of macroalbuminuria and end-stage renal disease are increased twofold and threefold, respectively, in diabetic individuals who also have severe periodontitis compared to diabetic individuals without severe periodontitis.

Furthermore, the risk of cardiorenal mortality (ischaemic heart disease and diabetic nephropathy combined) is three times higher in diabetic people with severe periodontitis than in diabetic people without severe periodontitis.

Periodontitis is also linked in those over 60 years of age to impairments in delayed memory and calculation abilities

Now some other studies indicate a reverse mechanism where people with severe Periodontal disease causing an increase in long-term blood sugar level leading to higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes, gestational diabetes and in long run to heart disease.

The early warning sign of gum disease is the temporary bleeding from gums while brushing which if left untreated can progress into Periodontal disease. Since there won't be any pain while the disease progresses people won't notice it exists

So it is high time that we should make sure that this silent killer is not on you.

“ Ignorance is not a bliss but knowledge is”