Research from the past several years has made an interesting correlation between an individual’s gum health and their likelihood of developing Alzheimer’s.
Studies show that those who have gum disease, and exhibit factors such as tooth loss or gum swelling, are more likely to show symptoms of cognitive impairment or dementia. Is this a chicken and an egg scenario? You have poor dental hygiene because you have forgotten to maintain your oral health? Or is there a deeper connection?
According to Panos Papapanous, DDS, PhD, a professor of dental medicine at Columbia, “The pattern converges in one direction, more severe gum disease is linked with more concerning findings on brain MRIs.”
While the mouth is often looked at as its own, oftentimes when something goes seriously wrong within it, the effects can spread throughout the body. This is due to the fact that nerves, tissues and the like are so closely, and intricately linked, to the brain. When one has severe gum disease that leads to bleeding holes in the gum, the bacteria can find itself traveling throughout the bloodstream and breaking the barrier to the brain. This bacteria causes inflammation, especially when it’s identified as a foreign substance, and can lead to inflammation of the brain.
These toxic microbes affect cognitive function and instigate an immune response as your body tries to fight the infection off. Over time, the chemicals your body releases can lead to a buildup of abnormal clumps of protein in the brain; the same that are regularly seen in individuals with dementia.
While diet and exercise has long been promoted to keep the brain healthy, doctors are also stressing the importance of maintaining proper oral hygiene. Brushing one’s teeth twice a day, flossing daily, avoiding smoking and avoiding excess sugar that can rot the teeth are just a few of the top preventive measures. To keep your mouth, and by association, your brain healthy, prioritize its maintenance.
