Titanium Knee Joint
The systemic connection between our mouths and the rest of our body has been the subject of scores of studies in recent years. We recently posted an article about how “Your Dentist Can Save Your Life” that discussed how many ailments evidence themselves in your mouth. Your dentist may be able to give you a “heads up” on other diseases or deficiencies that might be occurring in your body based on what he or she sees going on with your teeth, gums, tongue and throat.
Now, a new potential connection has been made between oral bacteria and the failure of hip and knee replacements. Doctors and researchers at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio, tested DNA of bacteria in the joints of patients who have had joint replacements that failed and found that this bacteria had the same DNA as bacteria found in plaque taken from people with gum disease. While they explain that much more research regarding this possible connection is needed, the doctors conducting the study are hopeful that treating gum disease will help patients avoid the need for joint replacements in the future.
Read more about the CWRU oral bateria study here.
