Can Gum Disease Shorten Your Life?

Does Periodontal Health impact on longevity?  This was the question posed at a recent dental seminar by Professor Iain Chapple from Birmingham University.  His cental argument was based on a study of 1,200 males in Boston USA who were followed for over 40 years.  By 2009 500 of them had died and it was found that males who had moderate or severe bone loss from periodontal disease at the outset of the study were 48% more at risk of having died than those who had either mild or no bone loss.

The conclusion of the seminar was the advice that adopting a 'healthy' lifestyle was associated both with improved oral health (reduced periodontal disease) and longer lifespan.  So keep on eating vegetables and fruit, reduce your sugar intake and exercise regularly to give yourself the chance to live longer and keep your teeth!