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Gum Disease Can Lead to Alzheimer's - REALLY?

Writer's picture: Patricia FaustPatricia Faust

This topic has really flown below my radar until a couple of weeks ago. I was having a lot of pain in one of my teeth and I couldn’t do anything to relieve it. I was referred to a periodontist for evaluation of a possible cracked tooth. Now this was the first time I ever had to go to a periodontist, so the experience was all new to me. I did have a cracked tooth and needed a bone graft to support the gum area again. All of this was due to inflammation – perhaps something I could have prevented. But I will do anything necessary to bring you the most up to date news about risk factors and dementia! Trust me – I went over and above on this one. At the same time, articles about gum disease and Alzheimer’s started popping up in my emails. This happens to me quite often when I decide to write about a topic. Strange – but it certainly helps my research.


Here Is What I Learned

“More than half of the U.S. population age 30 and older has some form of periodontal disease. Prevalence increases to 68 percent for those 65 and older.” (Dr. Richard Kao, DDS, PhD, president of the American Academy of Periodontology) Periodontitis is a chronic gum disease and leading cause of tooth loss. Previous studies have linked it with an increase in markers of inflammation throughout the body. Recent studies have linked gum disease to a decline in cognitive ability.

Researchers at the University of Illinois Chicago applied periodontal bacteria to the mouths of 10 mice for 22 weeks. They then compared the brain tissue of the experiment group to the control group of mice. The mice exposed to bacteria had more inflammation and fewer neurons still intact in their brains. By analyzing the proteins in the mice brain tissue, researchers discovered that the exposed mice had more beta-amyloid plaques – which is a biomarker for Alzheimer’s disease.


Is There Causal Direction That Periodontitis Leads to Dementia?

In another study (of course!) investigators from Seoul National University in South Korea examined the relationship between chronic periodontitis and dementia. If periodontitis does lead to dementia – they offered three possible explanations:


· Bacteria from the infected gums enter the brain and cross over the blood-brain barrier. They could trigger inflammation and spur production of toxic proteins that are hallmarks of Alzheimer’s disease.


· In a similar process, the gum infection could set up a “systemic inflammatory state” that releases agents that promote inflammation. These agents could also cross the blood-brain barrier to trigger inflammation in the brain tissue. His too can also contribute to toxic protein build-up.


· Finally, the third mechanism would occur through damage to the lining of blood vessels. Previous research showed that such damage has ties to an increase in toxic proteins in the brain.


There is enough collaborative evidence throughout these studies to indicate that good oral hygiene is critical to reduce risk factors associated with dementia. The brain and dental health are closely connected and all of us, especially seniors, should be diligent about brushing our teeth carefully to prevent the onset of periodontitis.


References:

Alzheimers.net. (February 7, 2018). How gum disease could lead to the development of

Alzheimer’s. Retrieved March 26, 2019 from https://www.alzheimers.net/gum-disease-could-lead-to-the-development-of-alzheimers/

Paddock, C. (March 20, 2019). Study links severe gum disease to raised dementia risk. Retrieved

Woodruff, E. (October 10, 2018). To lower your dementia risk, experts recommend looking after

your teeth. Retrieved March 26, 2019 from https://www.beingpatient.com/oral-care-dementia-gum-disease/


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     What's Happening?

2025 has certainly started off with a BANG!  There is significant chaos surrounding the start of now President Trump’s term in office.  He described it as ‘Shock and Awe’.  I would agree with ‘shock’, but I am not in awe of the beginning of his term.  Time will tell how this all plays out.  It does force me to get serious about my meditation practice, however.

Then most of the United States was under, first – severe weather systems and then the incineration of Southern California.  In my particular neck of the woods (Ohio/Indiana border) we had 15 inches of snow, subzero temperatures made even colder by high wind.  My gas and electric bill will be out of this world after this month.  It has been a long time since we have seen this type of weather.  In 1978, we had a blizzard where over 30 inches of snow fell, the Ohio River froze over, and I had a blizzard baby 9 months later (to the day)! Nothing like that this time though!

The natural disasters to hit the US this year have been catastrophic.  There was Hurricane Helene that devastated Florida but also caused so much flooding in the Southeast State of North Carolina that the town of Ashville was left in shambles.  This is a mountain town where you would never expect torrential flooding to occur.  The recovery has been slow, but it is ongoing. 

Los Angeles California is the home of many famous and affluent people.  The Palisades and Malibu are two cities you might have seen on TV shows or in movies.  They are on the Pacific coast and were extremely beautiful.  There is nothing left. The damage is unimaginable.  It is hard to understand how people will bounce back from this.

No matter where you live or are reading this, please keep these communities in your thoughts and prayers.  If possible, check out sources where you may make contributions to their recovery.

On a lighter note, The Kansas City Chiefs and the Philadelphia Eagles will play each other in Super Bowl 59 on February 9 in New Orleans.  These two teams played each other in the 2023 Super Bowl and The Chiefs were the winners.  Grudge match in 2025?  We will see.

Make sure you check out the activities going on at the Virtual Brain Health Center.  Krystal and LeAnne always have a month full of activities, the book club, podcasts and guests who bring their expertise to share.  It is free and is worth checking out.  www.virtualbrainhealthcenter.com

I am available to book speaking engagements for The Boomer Brain and The Inside Workings of the Aging Brain.  All Boomers are feeling brain aging losses – tip-of-the-tongue, lost word, forgetting things and the slow down of processing. Request information and open dates through patricia@myboomerbrain.com.

“Pat has written a comprehensive quide to understanding and navigating the intricacies of cognitive aging. ‘The Boomer Brain’ is a beacon of hope for those seeking to enrich their later years.” Dr. Sarah McKay (Founder of The Neuroscience Academy)

Over the past few years, I have had a friend, Carol Meyer, who has been a part of My Boomer Brain.  Carol has her own publication, InFlow that is published quarterly.  It is amazing.  InFlow Magazine - Your Digital Dose of Inspiration is just that.  She has chosen some of my blogs to publish in InFlow and I am grateful.  She wants me to extend an invitation to look at InFlow for yourself.  Here is the link and access information:

 

https://inflowmagazine.gumroad.com/l/Issue11

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