New study suggests that women with gum disease are 15% more likely to die early
A new study has suggested that post-menopausal women who suffer from gum disease are 15 percent more likely to die early than women with good oral health.
Researchers from New York’s University of Buffalo found that women who suffered from gum disease were more likely to die prematurely than those with healthy gums. They also found that those with no natural teeth were 17 percent more likely to die early than women with healthy teeth. The study involved 55,000 women.
Lead author, Dr Michael LaMonte, suggested that the study warranted more intensive dental checks for post-menopausal women. Research claims that gum disease can be an early indication of type 2 diabetes, but there are also concerns that harmful oral bacteria can increase the risk of even more serious health problems, including heart disease. The findings of the study have been published in the Journal of the American Heart Association.
Previous studies have suggested a connection between gum disease and both female and male mortality, but Dr LaMonte believes that the effects may be exacerbated in post-menopausal women due to the plunging levels of oestrogen, which contributes to health issues such as weakened bones.
The study findings have been welcomed by Dr Karen Coates, from the Oral Health Foundation, who stressed the importance of the impact of the menopause on dental health and added that the importance of regular dental checks and good dental hygiene shouldn’t be underestimated.
Join this Discussion