Why gums suffer with age
A new British study has shed light on why gum disease can become more common with old age. Researchers from the University of London, in collaboration with research groups in the USA, reveals the deterioration in gum health, which often occurs in old age, is associated with a drop in the level of a chemical called Del-1.
A new British study has shed light on why gum disease can become more common with old age.
Researchers from the University of London, in collaboration with research groups in the USA, reveals the deterioration in gum health, which often occurs in old age, is associated with a drop in the level of a chemical called Del-1.
As people age, they are more likely to suffer from inflammatory diseases, including gum disease.
Periodontitis is a disease of the gums which causes bleeding and bone loss. Over time, this can lead to the loss of teeth and is reportedly caused by an “over-active” immune response to bacteria which can grow in the mouth.
The research investigated gum disease in young and old mice and found an increase in gum disease in the older animals was accompanied by a drop in the level of Del-1, which is a protein known to restrain the immune system by stopping white blood cells from sticking to and attacking mouth tissue.
Mice that had no Del-1 developed severe gum disease and elevated bone loss and researchers found unusually high levels of white blood cells in the gum tissue.
When treating the gums of the mice with Del-1, the number of white blood cells dropped, and gum disease and bone loss were reduced.
According to head researcher Professor Mike Curtis of the University of London, the research sheds some light on “why ageing makes us more susceptible to [gum disease] and understanding this mechanism is the first step to an effective treatment”.
