What can oral health tell us about kidney health?

A recent article published in BMC Nephrology points to a connection between oral health and kidney health, citing evidence analyzed by University of Cincinnati College of Medicine researchers. The article shows an association between periodontal disease and chronic kidney disease.

Priyanka Gudsoorkar, assistant professor-educator in the Department of Environmental and Public Health Sciences, recently appeared on Cincinnati Edition on 91.7 WVXU News, to discuss the latest findings.

"The link between oral health, especially gum disease, and kidney disease show that these two conditions are not separate. In fact, they influence each other through inflammation in our body," said Gudsoorkar. "So when someone has a gum disease, the bacteria, the inflammation from the mouth can actually enter into the bloodstream. This adds to the body's overall inflammation burden, which can actually worsen the kidney function over time." 

She explained the connection is part of the reason that chronic kidney disease patients are required to have dental clearance before transplant surgery.

"You're required to have a mouth that is free of infections. You cannot have teeth that are dangling around, any other gum infection," said Gudsoorkar. "All of those have to be cleared because there is a risk of infection that can go down your bloodstream if you have any infection in the mouth, and that can also lead to post-transplant complications. So it's very important you get that dental clearance before a transplant."

Listen to the full Cincinnati Edition segment on 91.7 WVXU News to hear Gudsoorkar explain how the UC research was initiated. 

Featured image at top: Photo/iStock.