We wouldn’t usually connect the dots between good dental hygiene and arthritis. After all, one is in the mouth and the other in the hips, knees and other joints around the body.

Researchers from the School of Dentistry in University of Louisville, Kentucky however took a long shot study and hit the bull’s eye. Their results may eventually lead to a permanent cure for arthritis.

The researchers identified a bacterium that causes gum disease, which is also closely linked to early onset, progression, and severity of rheumatoid arthritis.

The bacterium we are talking about is Porphyromonas gingivalis, which produces an enzyme called peptidylarginine deiminase (PAD) that reacts with protein residues found in food particles in the mouth. The enzyme converts the proteins into substances that the body recognizes as foreign particles and triggers an immune attack. This, in turn, results in chronic inflammation of joints and bones and extensive damage, which are all characteristic features of rheumatoid arthritis.

Studies conducted earlier reveal that gum disease is at least two times more common in patients with rheumatoid arthritis!

The researchers have concluded from this study that the bacterial enzyme PAD might be the vital link between periodontal disease and rheumatoid arthritis. Earlier studies conducted on mouse models proved that the enzyme induces arthritis and causes breakdown of cartilage and bone. In fact, this enzyme has also been linked with another debilitating condition, Alzheimer’s disease.

The team studied another bacterium, Prevotella intermedia, related to gum problems. But it was discovered that the bacterium did not produce PAD enzyme, nor did it result in the same effects caused by P. gingivalis.

Another research group identified that gum infection caused by P. gingivalis usually preceded rheumatoid arthritis and is considered the cause of the inflammatory reaction in the body. Other studies have revealed that people who suffer from periodontal disease have an increased prevalence of rheumatoid arthritis, when compared to the general population.

This shows that it’s extremely important for your overall health – and especially if you suffer from rheumatoid arthritis – to practice good dental hygiene. Ensure regular brushing and flossing to keep away dangerous bacteria that cause gum diseases and arthritis.

But brushing your teeth may not be enough to completely reverse arthritis. Here are the 3 steps I took to tackle my arthritis using nothing but natural resources!