Gum disease and weight loss

Having periodontal disease is linked to an increased likelihood of weight loss in older adults and the more extensive the disease the greater the weight loss. This may lead to an increased risk of illness and death.Researchers from the University of Pittsburgh, USA, examined the association between periodontal disease and weight loss over a 2-year period in 1053 randomly selected participants who were at least 65 years of age. The researchers defined the severity of periodontal disease in terms of pocket depth and attachment loss, the extent of bleeding on probing, and gingival inflammation. It was found that overall, weight loss of at least 5 percent occurred in 140 (13.4 percent) members of the study population. Oral health variables showed a significant association with weight loss, with the weight losers having worse oral health status than weight-stable participants. After adjusting for other factors, the researchers found that seniors with periodontal disease were 53 percent more likely to have experienced weight loss than those with healthy gums and teeth.
Weight loss of at least 5 percent body weight in older adults is associated with increased risk of morbidity and mortality, according to the researchers. Hence, if periodontal disease is ultimately found to be a cause of weight loss, having periodontal disease may place older adults at higher risk for a variety of systemic diseases (e.g., cardiovascular disease, stroke, etc.), and even lead to a high death rate. Fortunately, periodontal disease is treatable and can be addressed by dentists.

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