GUM DISEASE INCREASES RISK OF OTHER ILLNESS SUCH AS MENTAL HEALTH AND HEART CONDITIONS A new study shows an increased risk of patients developing illnesses, including mental ill-health and heart conditions, if they have a medical history of periodontal (gum) disease. Experts carried out a first-of-its-kind study of the records of 64,379 patients who had a recorded history of periodontal disease, including gingivitis and periodontitis (the condition that occurs if gum disease is left untreated and can lead to tooth loss). Of these, 60,995 had gingivitis and 3,384 had periodontitis. The researchers examined the data to establish how many of the patients with and without periodontal disease go on to develop cardiovascular disease (e.g., heart failure, stroke, vascular dementia), cardiometabolic disorders (e.g., high blood pressure, Type 2 diabetes), autoimmune conditions (e.g., arthritis, Type 1 diabetes, psoriasis), and mental ill-health (e.g., depression, anxiety and serious mental illness) over an average follow-up of around three years. The team discovered that those patients with a recorded history of periodontal disease at the start of the study were more likely to go on and be diagnosed with one of these additional conditions over an average of three years, compared to those in the cohort without periodontal disease at the beginning of the research. The results of the study showed, in patients with a recorded history of periodontal disease at the start of the study, the increased risk of developing mental ill-health was 37%, while the risk of developing autoimmune disease was increased by 33%, the risk of developing cardiovascular disease was raised by 18%, and the increased risk for Type 2 diabetes was 26%. Presented as a service to the community by Dr. Barbara Webster 1121 Warren Ave., Suite 130, Downers Grove, IL 60515 630-663-0554 SM-CL2004997 GUM DISEASE INCREASES RISK OF OTHER ILLNESS SUCH AS MENTAL HEALTH AND HEART CONDITIONS A new study shows an increased risk of patients developing illnesses , including mental ill - health and heart conditions , if they have a medical history of periodontal ( gum ) disease . Experts carried out a first - of - its - kind study of the records of 64,379 patients who had a recorded history of periodontal disease , including gingivitis and periodontitis ( the condition that occurs if gum disease is left untreated and can lead to tooth loss ) . Of these , 60,995 had gingivitis and 3,384 had periodontitis . The researchers examined the data to establish how many of the patients with and without periodontal disease go on to develop cardiovascular disease ( e.g. , heart failure , stroke , vascular dementia ) , cardiometabolic disorders ( e.g. , high blood pressure , Type 2 diabetes ) , autoimmune conditions ( e.g. , arthritis , Type 1 diabetes , psoriasis ) , and mental ill - health ( e.g. , depression , anxiety and serious mental illness ) over an average follow - up of around three years . The team discovered that those patients with a recorded history of periodontal disease at the start of the study were more likely to go on and be diagnosed with one of these additional conditions over an average of three years , compared to those in the cohort without periodontal disease at the beginning of the research . The results of the study showed , in patients with a recorded history of periodontal disease at the start of the study , the increased risk of developing mental ill - health was 37 % , while the risk of developing autoimmune disease was increased by 33 % , the risk of developing cardiovascular disease was raised by 18 % , and the increased risk for Type 2 diabetes was 26 % . Presented as a service to the community by Dr. Barbara Webster 1121 Warren Ave. , Suite 130 , Downers Grove , IL 60515 630-663-0554 SM - CL2004997