Periodontitis present in individuals with altered blood markers, say researchers

These findings have paved the way for research into periodontitis biomarkers and the underlying causes of the disease. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO) periodontitis affects about 19 per cent of the global adult population, with over one billion cases worldwide.

Pernilla Lundberg, study lead and a periodontist at the Department of Odontology at Umeå University, said, “By identifying the blood biomarkers that may be crucial for the development of severe periodontitis, we can proceed to research drugs that specifically aim to slow down the disease progression.”

Periodontitis involves inflammation of the gums that leads to the breakdown of the supporting tissues around the teeth and can, in severe cases, result in tooth loss. According to the researchers, individuals with severe periodontitis are also more often affected by other serious diseases, such as cardiovascular disease and rheumatism, but the mechanisms behind these connections remain unclear.