The Link between Gum Inflammation and Alzheimer’s
Most people are well aware that poor dental hygiene can lead to a number of problems, including bad breath, gum disease, and tooth decay. Even so, many people are not aware that not brushing one’s teeth and poor dental hygiene habits could also have more far-reaching consequences, including impacting your overall health.
New research has found that periodontal disease, also known as gum disease, could actually increase the risk of developing cognitive dysfunction, which is typically associated with Alzheimer’s. Not only is there an increased risk of developing the disease in individuals who are already suffering from some type of cognitive impairment, but also in healthy individuals. A study from NYU found that inflammation of the gums could be a contributing factor to neurodegeneration, brain inflammation, and Alzheimer’s disease. The study included the examination of 20 years of data supporting the potential for a link between Alzheimer’s and gum disease. A previous study found that patients with Alzheimer’s had much higher levels of inflammatory molecules and antibodies associated with gum disease than did healthy individuals.
Gum Disease, Oral Hygiene, and Alzheimer’s Disease
Among the biggest threats of improper dental hygiene is that it allows bacteria to build up inside the mouth. It is this bacteria that is believed to play a significant role in creating changes within the brain that lead to symptoms associated with Alzheimer’s, such as failing memory and confusion. Currently, researchers believe that repeated exposure of the brain to debris and bacteria to the gums, combined with subsequent immune responses could result in potential memory loss and nerve cell death. This makes proper dental hygiene and regular dental visits throughout an individual’s life far more important than we might have at first realized. Not only is such proper care vital for good oral health, but it could also be vital for good overall health, including healthy cognitive function.
The Alzheimer’s Foundation of America reports that the disease is a progressive degenerative disorder that causes memory loss by attacking the nerve cells or neurons in the brain. Other common symptoms include behavioral changes, and impaired thinking and language skills. Contrary to popular opinion, the symptoms caused by this disease are not simply a normal part of the aging process. According to the latest statistics, one in three people could develop the disease.
