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Grandma always losing her teeth might be a funny family anecdote to some, but maybe there is something more to it than that.
Sometimes we forget that the mouth is part of the body.
The oral-systemic link is something that dentists emphasize rightfully because several studies published in the last decade point toward a link between Alzheimer's and periodontal disease.
The oral microbiome can affect overall health in the same way that it does in our gut, on our skin, and everywhere else throughout the body.
Periodontitis is a chronic inflammatory disease of the supporting structures of teeth.
A recent study published in International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health found that patients with chronic periodontitis are at higher risk for cognitive decline.
Several studies show a correlation between periodontitis and Alzheimer's, but this does not imply that one causes the other.
Many other factors link the two diseases, such as genetics, high blood pressure, and obesity.
However, there are other possibilities to consider.
One is that periodontitis could exacerbate Alzheimer's. On the other hand, the reverse can also be possible; Alzheimer's leads to poor oral care and thus increased inflammation in the mouth.
To truly develop a causal relationship, we have to look at the biological processes.
There are several studies focusing on those mechanisms.
P.gingivalis is a key player in periodontal disease. During normal activity like chewing or toothbrushing, the bacteria can be easily introduced to the bloodstream.
A study published in 2020 by The Journal of Alzheimer's Disease Reports states that P.gingivalis DNA was found in the saliva and cerebrospinal fluid of individuals with Alzheimer's disease.
The surface area of all the gingiva (gums) in your mouth is comparable to the size of the palm of your hand.
It's hard to imagine any other circumstance where we would ignore an infection of that size anywhere else on the body.
Why should we treat our mouth differently than say an arm or leg?
Brushing and flossing daily decreases the risk of oral infection and whether or not it is a contributor to
Alzheimer's, it is still important to keep any type of infection at bay.
Next time you are too tired to brush your teeth before bed, consider how it could affect your memory in the future.
Alexandra Bihary
Duncansville