With June designated as Alzheimer’s and Brain Awareness month, we felt compelled to talk about a multitude of studies that link chronic gum disease (periodontitis) with Alzheimer’s disease.
In one review, as reported in Cureus Journal of Medical Science, five out of six studies showed a “significant association between periodontal disease and the risk of Alzheimer’s disease onset and progression.”
In yet another study, as seen in Science Advances, findings offered additional evidence that P. gingivalis (the oral bacteria closely linked to advanced periodontal (gum) disease), was identified in the brain of Alzheimer’s disease patients and that chronic periodontitis and infection with P. gingivalis were identified as significant risk factors for developing dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.
Treating Gum Disease
In its earliest stage, called gingivitis, we can treat gum disease and, if caught early enough, normally reverse the damage. Often, there are no symptoms at this stage, which is another reason why we encourage all individuals to keep up with their regular professional dental hygiene visits and cleanings.
Your gums should feel firm to the touch, shouldn’t bleed, hurt, or feel swollen. If you are experiencing mild periodontitis, bacteria has already gotten under your gums and has affected the bone tissue that supports your teeth. Bacteria is probably hiding in “pockets” where gums have pulled away from your teeth.
Professional “under-the-gum” cleaning by your periodontist can help manage the bacteria. If left untreated, the bacteria will continue to cause damage, with subsequent bone loss creating loose teeth. Without intervention, you will most like lose these teeth.
However, once gum disease has advanced, and you’ve already lost bone and gum tissue around your teeth from infection, we can still help you manage the disease with special cleanings called scaling and root planing as well as procedures and treatments like laser pocket reduction (LANAP®), bone and gum graft surgery and guided tissue regeneration.
The Cleveland Clinic and Pennsylvania Center for Dental Implants and Periodontics urge you to keep up with dental visits since early detection is so important when it comes to gum disease. The sooner you treat gum disease, the better your chances of not eventually losing your natural teeth to the disease. Managing periodontal disease in your mouth —the gateway to your body—may also help you fight other linked systemic issues like kidney, heart, lung diseases, and more.
Visit one of our two locations if you suspect gum disease. Referrals from dental or other professionals are always welcomed, but not required.