Infections in our body are generally divided into two categories, chronic and acute. What does that mean, and how does that affect our health?
Acute infections are those that arise suddenly and are of short duration, often due to trauma like a cut on your hand. Chronic infections, on the other hand (no pun intended), by definition, go on for long periods of time without resolution.
When we have an infection in our body, the body responds in various ways. The body sends various groups of cells (collectively referred to as white blood cells) to fight the bacteria or virus causing the infection. These cells also send chemical signals through the blood to the liver that they need help. In response, the liver produces inflammatory chemicals to assist the white blood cells in their fight. These chemicals are delivered through the blood to the site of infection.
In an acute infection like a cut on your hand, we put some antibiotic ointment on it, and generally, in a few days, with the help of the white blood cells and the liver, the infection is resolved and everything goes back to a normal, quiescent state.
In the case of a chronic infection, like untreated gingivitis or periodontitis, our body responds in the same way as an acute infection. White blood cells are sent to the mouth, and they signal the liver that a battle is going on and they need help. The liver doesn’t have eyes and ears. All it knows is that it keeps getting signals through the blood that an infection is present someplace in the body. The liver responds in the usual way by increasing the production of inflammatory chemicals to help the white blood cells in their fight.
The problem is that the infection never heals. Thus, the liver keeps producing these powerful chemicals. While they are beneficial in helping the body repel the bacteria or viruses, when they are present for long periods of time, they can also damage healthy, vital tissues like the lining of our blood vessels.
These inflammatory chemicals are called cytokines and interleukins. You may have heard of these in the “cytokine storm” that affects some people who have contracted the Covid virus. Another example of these chemicals is C Reactive protein. Elevated levels have been linked to increase risk of heart disease. In general, chronic inflammation like this has been linked to many ailments we associate with aging, like arthritis, autoimmune diseases, and diabetes. Even obesity is considered to be an inflammatory disease.
The important message is that, by treating gingivitis and periodontitis, you may not only have the luxury of having a comfortable, attractive smile for a lifetime, but you may help to avoid many other systemic problems like heart disease and strokes. The key is to reduce or eliminate inflammation wherever and whenever possible. One of the easiest ways to do this is to see the periodontist regularly for examination and cleaning. Until a cure is developed, the only solution is timely, effective care.