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Gum Disease Can Lead to Alzheimer's - REALLY?

  • Writer: Patricia Faust
    Patricia Faust
  • Mar 28, 2019
  • 3 min read

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/


 
 
 

Comments


We are already into June! I am not moving as fast as time apparently. I am just preparing for the “lazy, hazy days of summer”.

June is anything but lazy.  This is Alzheimer’s and Brain Awareness Month.  This month brings to light the value of living a brain healthy lifestyle, the importance of early detection, and the support that is available for those with Alzheimer’s and their caregivers.

The FDA approved the blood test that detects Alzheimer’s disease and identifies what stage of the disease is present.  These tests will be available in doctor’s offices.  What does this mean?  Diagnosing Alzheimer’s was a bit of hit or miss because the methods of diagnosis were complicated and not definitive.  The primary care doctor had to figure out what specialist to refer the patient and lose more diagnostic time trying to get them an appointment.  Determining how far the disease had progressed was even more of a challenge.  With this blood test, immediate results and staging allows immediate, appropriate care to be initiated.  In the early stages of the disease a person can maintain a higher quality of life for a longer period.

The Alzheimer’s Association National Event – Outshine the Darkness of Alzheimer’s.  The Longest Day is celebrated on June 21, the summer solstice.

This is a global effort to raise funds and awareness for Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias, with participants choosing activities they love to do while fundraising.

World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (June 15) promotes a better understanding of abuse and neglect of older persons by highlighting the cultural, social, economic and demographic processes affecting elder abuse and neglect.

National Safety Month includes safety measures for seniors – fall prevention, safe medication use, home safety modifications. Check with you local Area Agency on Aging for information.

 

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

Scroll to ‘Name a fair price’

Enter ‘0’ in the ‘name a fair price’ field to get it for free

Click ‘I want this’ and follow the prompts

 

With summer just around the corner, I’m booking online and in-person presentations for July.  Topics are varied and topical, ranging from memory care, the aging brain, brain health, cognitive resilience, and many more.  If you are interested in organizing an event or want to discuss how brain health can be integrated into your community or organization, please reach out to me directly at patricia@myboomerbrain.com

 

Finally, if you are looking for more in-depth strategies and a roadmap to better health, I encourage you to explore my book, The Boomer Brain. It is a resource designed for anyone over 40 who wants to understand how lifestyle choices impact cognitive aging and what you can do to keep your brain sharp for years to come.  Find it on Amazon: https://amazon.com/dp/1962133613

 

Slow down your time and enjoy the laid-back pace of summer. 

Pat

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