More oral-systemic connections

Consumer Reports: Rheumatoid Arthritis And Gum Disease May Be “Partner Conditions.”

The Washington Post (1/14) published a Consumer Reports article that discussed how some illnesses may increase a person’s risk of having a “partner condition.” The article included rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and gum disease among several examples of partner conditions, stating “dentists long ago noticed that people with rheumatoid arthritis were more likely to have gum disease – and vice versa.” According to the article, “The reason for the connection between the two conditions is unclear, but there’s some evidence that treating periodontal disease improves certain markers for RA.” Given this, the article suggested people practice proper oral hygiene, visit their dentist regularly, and quit smoking.