Biology/gum disease in older adults
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Question
Dear expert,
could you please help me with the following question:
why is gum disease more common in older adults?
my guesses are not specific enough, so I need your help!
Thank you in advance
Uran
Hi Uran: Thanks for your question. My dentist tells me that neglect is the single greatest factor, but here's a paper that found smoking and existing gum attachment are significant factors as well.
http://www.stanford.edu/group/usvh/stanford/misc/Periodontal%203.pdf
Others think it's a vitamin deficiency. Folic acid to be precise.
What are you thinking?
FM Rollwagen, PhD
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Answers by Expert:
Florence M Rollwagen
Expertise
I can answer questions in biology, microbiology and immunology on the undergraduate or graduate level. I can also address medical and health concerns regarding alternative medicine, autoimmune diseases (lupus, MS) liver disease and intestinal problems.
Experience
I have over 20 years experience in research and teaching at the medical/graduate level, and 5 years teaching college biology and microbiology. My expertise is in microbiology and immunology, specifically the biology of cytokines and soluble immune response modifiers. I also carried out original research in blood substitutes and shock/trauma.
Organizations
American Association of Immunologists (AAI)
American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)
Publications
Journal of Experimental Medicine, Journal of Immunology, Cytokine, Shock, Experimental Hematology
Education/Credentials
BS biology 1966
MS biology 1968
PhD immunology 1979
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