Gum disease treatment hopeful for prostate sufferers

A study has shown that treating gum disease reduces prostate inflammation, also known as prostatitis.

Researchers believe this study proves even further that gum disease is a ‘system-wide condition’ that not only affects the mouth.

Researchers studied 27 men, 21 years old and older who had each had a needle biopsy within the past year that confirmed inflammation of the prostate gland, as well as a blood test that showed higher levels of specific antigen (PSA).

The men answered questions on the International-Prostate Sympton Score (IPSS) about their quality of life and possible urination issues. The men also needed at least 18 teeth and were examined for gum disease.

Study results

According to reports, researchers found that two participants had inflammation and a malignancy, but 21 out of 27 participants had no or mild inflammation; 15 had biopsy-confirmed malignancies.

All men received treatment for their moderate to severe gum disease, and showed significant improvement after they were tested again four to eight weeks later.

‘This study shows that if we treat gum disease, it can improve the symptoms of prostatitis and the quality of life for those who have the disease,’ said Nabil Bissada, the study’s corresponding author and chair of Case Western Reserve’s Department of Periodontics.

The participants with the highest levels of inflammation benefited the most from the periodontal treatment; six men showed no changes.

Bissada hopes to follow up this research and eventually make periodontal treatment a ‘standard part of treating prostate disease’, according to a news release.

The findings were reported in the article ‘Periodontal treatment improves prostate symptoms and lowers serum PSA in men with high PSA and chronic periodontitis’ in Dentistry journal.