NEW YORK, NY, USA/LEIPZIG, Germany: Researchers at the University of North Carolina (UNC) in Chapel Hill in the US have discovered that almost one third of all human genes is involved in the inflammation of gingival tissue. By observing gum samples at molecular level collected from fourteen individuals with mild gingivitis, they found that more than 9,000 genes are expressed differently during the onset and healing process of the condition. According to latest figures of the International Human Genome Sequencing Consortium, the estimated number of genes in the human body ranges from 25,000 to 30,000.
The study, supported by the US National Institutes of Health and oral health care maker Procter & Gamble, is the first to successfully identify gene expression and biological pathways involved with the onset and healing process of gingivitis including those associated with immune response, energy metabolism, neural processes, vasculature, chemotaxis, wound healing and steroid metabolism.
"The study's findings demonstrate that clinical symptoms of gingivitis reflect complicated changes in cellular and molecular processes within the body," said Steven Offenbacher, D.D.S., Ph.D., the study's lead author and director of the UNC School of Dentistry-based Center for Oral and Systemic Diseases. "Understanding the thousands of individual genes and multiple systems involved in gingivitis will help explain exactly what is occurring in a person's body at the onset of the disease and how it relates to their overall health."
Gingivitis is commonly attributed to lapses in simple oral hygiene habits. If untreated, it can lead to periodontal disease, which has been studied extensively for its possible relation to heart disease, diabetes and pre-term birth. The researchers said that understanding how the condition develops and resolves on a molecular level can possibly provide critical insights into gum disease prevention, as well as new treatments.
NIIGATA, Japan/PHILADELPHIA, US: Ageing is known to increase people’s susceptibility to chronic inflammatory bone loss disorders, including periodontal ...
ZEISS, one of the world’s leading medical technology companies, is showcasing its dentistry portfolio this week at the AAE 2025 in Boston.
NEW YORK, NY, USA: NYU dental researchers have found the first long-term evidence that periodontal (gum) disease may increase the risk of cognitive ...
NEW YORK, N.Y., USA: Throughout February, National Children’s Dental Health Month, America’s ToothFairy: National Children’s Oral Health ...
The decision to pursue ceramic dental restorations is a major one for most patients. There may be a concern that the results will turn out to be different ...
PITTSBURGH, USA: Certain genetic variations may be linked to higher rates of tooth decay and aggressive periodontitis, according to two recently published ...
NEW YORK, US: Seeking to better characterise the inflammatory consequences of periodontal inflammation, researchers have recently developed two scores to ...
In today’s new information age, patients want a better quality of life. They want to keep their youthful, brighter-appearing smile more than ever; keep ...
Although they’re preventable, cavities are the leading chronic childhood disease in America. Many low-income families lack basic dental hygiene products ...
CHARLOTTE, N.C., USA: In celebration of National Children’s Dental Health Month, businesses and individuals across the country are invited to join ...
Live webinar
Mon. 6 October 2025
12:30 PM EST (New York)
Live webinar
Tue. 7 October 2025
12:30 PM EST (New York)
Prof. Dr. Falk Schwendicke MDPH
Live webinar
Thu. 9 October 2025
8:00 AM EST (New York)
Dr. Priyantha Pang Lee Yek
Live webinar
Fri. 10 October 2025
5:00 AM EST (New York)
Prof. Dr. Dr. Florian Stelzle
Live webinar
Fri. 10 October 2025
2:00 PM EST (New York)
Live webinar
Tue. 14 October 2025
7:00 PM EST (New York)
Prof. Dr. Wael Att, Dr. Robert A. Levine DDS, FCPP, FISPPS, AOD
Live webinar
Wed. 15 October 2025
7:00 PM EST (New York)
Dr. Julie Driscoll DMD, FAGD
To post a reply please login or register