With about 700 species of bacteria living in the mouth, it is one of the most important clusters of bacteria in the body. This includes bacteria that causes periodontal disease or, more simply, gum disease. More than this, a Gum disease, which is generally caused by an infection of the tissues that hold the teeth in their place, can be described as an infection. An infection can cause tooth loss, bleeding gums, loose teeth, and other negative consequences. Inflammatory molecules and bacteria can also reach the brain. Expert researchers and scientists emphasize the importance of maintaining good periodontal health. This includes keeping one’s natural teeth. This is important because it helps to avoid cognitive diseases like dementia.
Study Methods
The Centers for Diseases Control (CDC) National Center for Health Statistics conducted a large population study, involving over 6,00 people. This study was done to determine if gum disease or oral infections could lead to dementia.
All participants in this study had dental exams to check for signs of decay or disease. These participants also underwent blood tests to check for antibodies against causative bacteria. These antibodies were then tested against 19 oral bacteria that are associated with Alzheimer’s Disease (AD). These results revealed that among these 19, Porphyromonas gumivalis is most commonly responsible for gum disease in humans. Another study suggests that plaques of beta-amyloid proteins, a major sign of AD, may be created by the above infection.
Further, the examination revealed that AD was more common in older adults who had gum disease and baseline oral infections. For adults 65 years and older, both AD diagnosis and death were closely linked to antibodies that fight against P. gingivalis, which can cluster with other bacteria in your mouth and increase the chance of developing dementia.
The scientists concluded that it was important to conduct follow-up studies because the results indicated an oral infection. Because dementia is a condition that makes it difficult for patients to floss properly, this could lead to gum disease.
