INTELIHEALTH - People with the most serious form of gum disease have higher health care costs, researchers say.
They looked at information on 4,285 Japanese adults. The people in the study ranged from 40 to 59 years old. They all worked for the government. The study looked at 3 1/2 years of health records and health care costs.
People who had severe periodontal disease when the study started spent about 20% more on health care over the 3 1/2 years. They also were somewhat more likely to be admitted to the hospital.
For men with severe periodontal disease, hospital costs were 75% higher than for men with healthy gums.
People with the most serious gum disease had the highest dental costs of any group in the study. They also visited the dentist more often.
Periodontal disease is an infection that damages the gums, bone and tissue supporting the teeth. At its worst, it causes tooth loss.
Recent studies show that periodontal disease may be linked with other health conditions. These include stroke, heart disease, preterm birth and even some cancers. People who have diabetes and periodontal disease may have more problems controlling their blood sugar levels.
The Japanese study did not include people with diabetes, liver disease or heart disease. The results appear in the November issue of the Journal of Periodontology.
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