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Whole-body well-beingWe think brighter smiles mean stronger joints.
A clean mouth could lead to a spotless bill of health—from head to toe.
Led by professor Nabil Bissada, DDS, MSD, School of Dental Medicine researchers found the plaque that causes gum disease shares the same DNA as the bacteria in the fluid that lubricates hip and knee joints. The researchers suspect these bacteria could be the cause of joint failures in patients who have gum disease but whose joints are not infected.
How, exactly, does the bacteria get from the mouth to the joints? Plaque buildup and gum disease break down the pockets around the teeth, and inflammation opens the floodgates, allowing oral bacteria to invade the bloodstream.
Dental researchers will continue to study the trend to see if treating gum disease reduces the need for joint replacements—keeping you on your feet longer.
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