Poor teeth and gum health is a direct link to arthritis, according to a new study.
Researchers at the University of Louisville have determined that oral problems increase the risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis. It's all about the enzyme that is present in the blood when a person has gum disease. This enzyme, called peptidylarginine deiminanse, has always been associated with rheumatoid arthritis.
Rheumatoid arthritis is a condition that causes severe swelling and pain in the joints.
The problem with this enzyme is that it converts a protein in the human body into a protein called citrulline. The body often perceives citrulline as hostile, attacking it. This leads to inflammation in people who are dealing with autoimmune disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis.
Previous research has already established a link between oral health and rheumatoid arthritis, with many scientists leaning towards the fact that this problem is widespread among people with gum disease.
The researchers looked at other oral bacteria and concluded that none of them were related to rheumatoid arthritis.
Perhaps further research will shed light on the relationship between oral health and rheumatoid arthritis. There is also a large body of evidence that there is a link between oral health and chronic disease. Numerous experiments have already established a link between gum disease and an increased risk of stroke, Alzheimer's disease, diabetes, heart disease and many other health problems.