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Doctors Health Press, a division of Lombardi Publishing Corporation and publisher of various natural health newsletters, books, and reports, including the popular online Doctors Health Press e-Bulletin, is reporting on a new study that reveals a link between oral hygiene and the development of rheumatoid arthritis.As Doctors Health Press e-Bulletin (http://www.doctorshealthpress.com/general-health-2/why-you-should-never-neglect-your-teeth) notes, a study recently published in the journal PLOS Pathogens offers evidence that the degree of a person’s oral health can have an impact on the progression and even the severity of rheumatoid arthritis. According to the study, the culprit is the bacteria that accumulate in the mouth.
As the Doctors Health Press article “Why You Should Never Neglect Your Teeth” reports, the study also notes that in the case of both gum disease and rheumatoid arthritis, the body’s immune system is attacking itself, which is what causes inflammation and, ultimately, tooth loss through gum disease or disfiguration and the crippling of joints through rheumatoid arthritis.
Doctors Health Press e-Bulletin details the study’s method, stating that the experiment was performed on mice by introducing a specific human pathogen to a previously healthy mouse. This resulted in the accelerated progression of the pathogen, signs of joint inflammation at an earlier stage and an advanced level, and destruction of the joints.
“The researchers surmise that the bacteria induced an autoimmune reaction, which cross-reacted with the proteins in the joints of the mice," explains Dr. K.J. McLaughlin of Doctors Health Press. “This pathogen can affect certain proteins in the body, which become targets of an enhanced immune response which is primed by the higher levels of inflammation present at the time. When these proteins are deposited in the joint structures, the immune system mounts an attack which causes the associated pathology behind rheumatoid arthritis.”
The Doctors Health Press report concludes by noting that through proper oral hygiene—which includes regular, gentle brushing, flossing, and rinsing with an antibacterial mouthwash—individuals may be able to reduce their risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis.
(SOURCES: Elias, N., “The Crazy New Reason You Need To Floss,” Prevention web site, September 2013; http://www.prevention.com/health/health-concerns/link-between-gum-disease-and-rheumatoid-arthritis/; Potempa, J., et al., “Porphyromonas gingivalis Facilitates the Development and Progression of Destructive Arthritis through Its Unique Bacterial Peptidylarginine Deiminase (PAD),” PLoS Pathog 9(9): e1003627.)
Doctors Health Press e-Bulletin is a daily e-letter providing natural health news with a focus on natural healing through foods, herbs, and other breakthrough alternative health treatments. For more information on Doctors Health Press, visit http://www.doctorshealthpress.com.
Doctors Health Press believes in the healing properties of various alternative remedies, including traditional Chinese medicine. To see a video outlining the Doctors Health Press’ views on Traditional Chinese Medicine, visit http://www.doctorshealthpress.com/chinesemedicine.
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Release ID: 24172