Our mouth sometimes gets the short end of the stick when it comes to healthcare. For some reason, dentistry is treated differently from other forms of medical attention, despite the fact that your oral health has major implications for the rest of your body. Luckily, some people are still working on treating gum disease, and that means that one exciting drug is about to get its first FDA-approved trial (https://longevity.technology/news/the-new-fluoride-fda-greenlights-rapamycin-oral-health-trial/).
Gum disease, more properly called periodontal disease, is a collection of related conditions and symptoms that affect the tissue surrounding your teeth. It generally starts with red, swollen and inflamed gums, possibly even some bleeding, and maybe some bad breath, before progressing to its more serious form, which at its worst can result in tooth loss.
Developing gum disease has wider implications for your health, particularly in connection with inflammatory conditions and the diseases of aging. Cardiovascular problems such as high blood pressure, atherosclerosis and even heart attacks and strokes often occur alongside periodontal disease, and there also appears to be a strong correlation with diabetes. There may also be a link to neurodegeneration in conditions such as Alzheimer’s.
The best way to avoid these issues is to practice good dental hygiene, including brushing, flossing and regular visits to a dentist and hygienist. Treatment also often involves deep cleaning, but as the disease progresses, this can become less effective. Scientists at the University of Washington hope that treating some of the underlying aging processes that contribute to gum disease may be a more successful approach.
The drug of choice is rapamycin, which has already gathered a lot of attention in longevity circles. First obtained from the Streptomyces hygroscopicus bacterium in 1972 from samples taken on Easter Island, rapamycin is best known as an immunosuppressant that can help prevent rejection after organ transplants. Its ability to inhibit the protein known as mTOR has shown all sorts of longevity potential at the preclinical stage, and now it’s time to put it to the test in a full trial called RAPID.
RAPID involves the University of Washington, VitaDAO, Impetus Grants, and Optispan,. Participants will receive a full exam before rapamycin treatment, plus regular, free dental cleanings and financial compensation. As the treatment continues, participants will have their biomarkers monitored. Hopefully, they’ll show improvements in their overall health, especially in any signs of periodontal disease.
