Obesity raises the risk of gum disease by inflating growth of bone-destroying cells

Medical XPress / University at Buffalo / Journal of Dental Research ^ | Nov. 12, 2021 | Marcene Robinson / K.H. Kwack et al

[ConservativeMind]

Chronic inflammation caused by obesity may trigger the development of cells that break down bone tissue, including the bone that holds teeth in place, according to new University at Buffalo research that sought to improve understanding of the connection between obesity and gum disease.

The study found that excessive inflammation resulting from obesity raises the number of myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSC), a group of immune cells that increase during illness to regulate immune function. MDSCs, which originate in the bone marrow, develop into a range of different cell types, including osteoclasts (a cell that breaks down bone tissue).

Bone loss is a major symptom of gum disease and may ultimately lead to tooth loss. Also known as periodontal disease, gum disease affects more than 47% of adults 30 years and older, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

"Although there is a clear relationship between the degree of obesity and periodontal disease, the mechanisms that underpin the links between these conditions were not completely understood," says Keith Kirkwood, DDS, Ph.D., professor of oral biology in the UB School of Dental Medicine.

"This research promotes the concept that MDSC expansion during obesity to become osteoclasts during periodontitis is tied to increased alveolar bone destruction. Taken together, this data supports the view that obesity raises the risk of periodontal bone loss," says Kyuhwan Kwack, Ph.D.

The investigation found that the high-fat diet group experienced obesity, more inflammation and a greater increase of MDSCs in the bone marrow and spleen compared to the low-fat diet group. The high-fat diet group also developed a significantly larger number of osteoclasts and lost more alveolar bone (the bone that holds teeth in place).

Also, the expression of 27 genes tied to osteoclast formation were significantly elevated in the group fed a high-fat diet.

[ConservativeMind]

Do note that the “high fat” diet was 45% fat and roughly the same in carbs.

[cdcdawg]

“Chronic inflammation caused by obesity”

The real pandemic. Being fat is not a sign of muh prosperity. It’s a series of bad choices over time.

[Deaf Smith]

Funny they replaced Obese with High Fat Group.

[SomeCallMeTim]

ALL gum problems, regardless of weight, are solved by regular (daily) intake of Vitamin C

[Secret Agent Man]

however the study also found that the obese people were more resistant to famine...

but they sweated a great deal more

[Varda]

45% carbs is a high carb diet. Also a 90% fat and carbs diet is really bad. Blaming the fat in the diet is just propagnda.

[dfwgator]

Don’t blame the butter for what the bread did.

[Varda]

I’’m not. I’m on a high fat diet with plenty of butter (near zero carbs). It keeps inflammaton at bay.

[JohnnyP]

Not true. I was eating plain yogurt with fresh fruit cut into it, two or three times a day. I had gum disease and loose teeth, one was descending. My dentist said it was due to bone loss and I would lose it. That was four years ago. I’ve been carnivore since then and no more loose teeth or gum disease, and the descending tooth is fine.

[wintertime]

My bet:

Chronic inflammation caused the obesity. Fix the inflammation and the obesity will melt away.