Gum disease (periodontitis), a widespread oral problem, is known to significantly affect the teeth and gums. But what was of interest to many at the boxing convention was the effect gum disease can have on the general health of the human body.

This was the message from Dr. Arthif Daniel, a British dental surgeon, who qualified from the Faculty of Dentistry, Oral & Craniofacial Sciences at King’s College London. Arthif, who combines his dentistry with a 20-3 professional boxing career as a welterweight, presented on gum disease at the 60th Convention of the World Boxing Council in Acapulco, Mexico.

Demonstrating evidence of how gum disease could potentially affect the performance of boxers, Dr. Daniel explained how an inflammatory process starts in the oral cavity because of dental plaque accumulating around the teeth and gums.

“This then cascades, resulting in increases in inflammatory markers throughout the body, which could then influence cardiovascular, respiratory and other systems - potentially affecting a boxer’s ability to fire on all cylinders”, he explained.

Many examples of high-quality studies over the last several decades were cited to illustrate the significance of the topic, and a clear explanation was given on the importance of good oral health and the prevention of gum disease. Arthif was lauded for delivering a powerful message and, by linking each aspect of his talk to a boxer’s performance, it certainly had a powerful impact on the audience.

Said Mark Ide, Professor of Periodontology at King’s College London: “This Is not the first time that Arthif has been able to deliver oral health messages in this arena, and his experience and the nature of his message will help promote these further. These messages align with an increasing awareness of the two-way interactions between oral health and general fitness, health and disease affecting not just sportspeople but everyone, supported by ongoing research carried out at King’s and globally.”