Chicago researchers have found that people who brush and floss a lot may be more likely to develop inflammatory bowel disease. Their study appears in the January issue of the journal Digestive Diseases and Sciences.
Researchers from the Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science surveyed 137 people. Of these, 83 had inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and 54 did not. IBD is a term for two diseases-Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. Both affect the digestive tract. They cause pain, diarrhoea and fever.
People were asked about their current dental care habits and their habits at the time they were diagnosed with IBD. People without IBD listed only current habits.
The researchers found that compared to healthy people, people with IBD brushed and flossed more often, were more likely to use breath freshener, and visited the dentist more often. People with IBD also were more likely to have tooth decay, dry mouth and sores in their mouths than people who did not have IBD.
The researchers suggest that brushing and flossing more may alter the types and numbers of bacteria in the mouth. This could cause imbalances in the bacteria further down the digestive tract. The result could be IBD symptoms. Other studies have suggested a link between IBD and changes in digestive bacteria.
The study does not show that frequent oral hygiene leads to IBD, however. “Patients with IBD have a higher incidence of dry mouth, mouth ulcers and periodontal disease and therefore tend to pay greater attention to their oral hygiene, said David A. Albert, DDS, MPH, of the Columbia University College of Dental Medicine. “These results do not imply that the hygiene practices caused the IBD.”
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