Ottawa Family Dentistry Providers Share A Study on Oral Bacteria and Joint Bacteria
Online, June 12, 2012 (Newswire.com) - OTTAWA, CANADA - The School of Dental Medicine at Case Western Reserve University conducted a pilot study analyzing the DNA of both oral and joint bacteria.
Ottawa family dentistry providers Drs. David Bartos and Mark Northcott keep an eye on this study for its link between oral bacteria and joint degeneration.
Participating patients had signs of gum disease and were being treated for either osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis at Case Medical Center. Some patients had natural joints and others had received artificial joints because of arthritic damage. The researchers were interested in why patients' joints were failing when no infection could be found.
Patients with osteoarthritis have pains from deterioration of bone enclosing cartilage. Rheumatoid arthritis, an autoimmune disease, causes joints to grow inflamed and irritated, making joints painful and stiff. Fifty million Americans experience stiffness and pain from arthritis, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Case Western researchers inspected plaque samples from each participant and cross-referenced that bacterial DNA to their synovial fluid DNA. Synovial fluid lubricates joints and helps absorb shock. They tracked the DNA with an advanced procedure.
Five of the 36 patients in the study had the same DNA in their oral bacteria and their joint fluid bacteria.
Oral bacteria are normally found in the mouth, and when not eradicated, the bacteria buildup and form plaque. Bleeding gums can move bacteria from the mouth to the bloodstream, which can cause problems with overall health.
Researchers will conduct the study again with a larger number of participants.
"For a long time, we've suspected that these bacteria were causing problems in arthritis patients, but never had the scientific evidence to support it," the kanata dentist, Dr. Nabil Bissada says. Bissada serves as CWRU dental school's Department of Periodontics chair.
Her team wants to determine whether treating gum disease could decrease the need for joint replacements. The follow up study could aid patients with failing joints and periodontal disease.
Bartos and Northcott believe dental care affects total body health. Trillium Dental improves smiles with routine cleanings, Invisalign treatment, dental implants and TMJ disorder relief.
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© 2012 Master Google, Drs. David Bartos and Mark Northcott. Authorization to post is granted, with the stipulation that Dr. Bartos, Dr. Northcott and Master Google are credited as sole source. Linking to other sites from this document is strictly prohibited, with the exception of herein imbedded links.