Dr. Mogell Dental Blog

Boca Raton Cosmetic Dentist

Periodntal Disease and it's Potential Impact!

Wednesday, February 18, 2009

I have continually written about the relationship that periodontal disease may have with our overall health. Previous research has shown that periodontal disease is linked to diabetes, heart disease and low birth weight babies. There was even a study done by the Harvard School of Public Health which reported a positive association between tooth loss or periodontal disease and pancreatic cancer in United States male health professionals! WOW!
Now the last threat that periodontal disease is providing has been provided by Professor Kuniyasu Ochiai. Professor Ochia chairs the Microbiology Department at Nihon University in Tokyo. His research ahs shown that an acid that is produced in the presence of periodontal disease could activate the virus the could lead to AIDS!
As reported in the Agence-France Presse, Ochiai said "serious periodontal disease could lead to the development (of AIDS) among HIV-positive people.. although the probability largely depends on the individual physical strength". The study will be published in the March issue of the Journal of Immunology.
Although this finding applies to only a small sector of the population, it again bring home the fact of the importance of maintaining the best periodontal health possible! Please call our office at 561-394-9000 to arrange for a comprehensive examination and cleaning.

Kenneth A. Mogell, D.M.D.