Preventing Gum Disease May Protect Aging Brain

Need another reason to take care of your teeth and gums, besides keeping all your chompers?  A new study from Taiwan has linked chronic periodontal disease with an increased risk for developing Alzheimer’s disease.

The study out of the Chung Shan Medical University found that people who experienced gum inflammation for more than 10 years were 70 per cent more likely to develop AD.  Researchers adjusted for other factors including heart disease, stroke, diabetes and urban environments that could contribute to developing Alzheimer’s.

It is believed that low-grade inflammation like gum disease over a long period of time can contribute to a decline in cognitive ability.  Brushing, flossing and seeing a dentist regularly can help prevent and treat periodontitis, the leading cause of tooth loss.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the risk of periodontal disease increases with age and by 65, more than 70 per cent of seniors have inflammation of the gums caused by a bacterial infection of the soft tissue.
Chronic gum disease is also linked with heart disease and an increased risk for heart attacks.  According to the American Academy of Periodontology, people with poor oral health are twice as likely to have heart disease.  Research has found the bacteria from mouth infections can travel into the bloodstream and may cause plaque to build up in blood vessels and arteries leading to heart attack or stroke.

To learn more about oral health and older adults, visit the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research website here.  To read how periodontal disease can affect systemic health visit the American Academy of Periodontology by following this link.