Periodontal diseases like gum infection can lead to cognitive decline. In older adults, periodontal diseases are associated with an increased risk of dementia.
Studies suggest that treating gum infections might help prevent dementia.
What Is Gum Disease?
Gum disease is one of the most common diseases affecting people today. Left untreated, it can lead to tooth loss, bone loss around the teeth, periodontal pockets, and even heart problems.
The Role of Porphyromonas Gingivalis
Periodontitis is one of the most common diseases affecting humans. This chronic infection occurs when bacteria accumulate around teeth and destroy the tissues that support the teeth. Periodontal disease affects about half of adults over 65 years old. In addition, people with diabetes are twice as likely to develop periodontal disease. Researchers believe that the presence of certain bacterial species in the mouth contributes to the development of periodontal disease. One such species is Porphyromonas gingivalis.
Porphyromonas gingivalis is a gram-negative rod-shaped bacterium that causes severe inflammation of the gum tissue. The bacterium is found in dental plaque and in saliva. Although it does not cause serious health problems, it is considered a risk factor for cardiovascular disease because it accumulates near blood vessels. Studies suggest that the bacterium contributes to atherosclerosis by damaging the walls of arteries.
Signs and symptoms
Gingivitis is caused by bacteria that collect around the gums and beneath the gum line. Over time, the bacteria cause inflammation that leads to bleeding and infection. This process is called plaque buildup. Plaque forms when food particles are left behind after eating. When you brush your teeth, you remove most of the plaque. But there is still some remaining. If it stays where it belongs, it doesn’t hurt you. However, if it gets under the gumline, it starts causing problems.
Symptoms include swollen, red gums; bleeding gums; loose teeth; painful chewing; bad breath, and pus coming out of the mouth. These signs and symptoms indicate that you have gingivitis.
If you see any of these signs or symptoms, talk to your dentist about how it should be treated. They’ll recommend ways to prevent further damage. For example, they might suggest brushing twice daily with fluoride toothpaste and flossing once daily.
Cause
Periodontal Disease: What You Need To Know
Periodontal disease affects 2 in 5 adults in the United States. It is caused by bacteria living in plaque on our teeth and gums. When we brush and floss regularly, we help keep it under control. However, sometimes plaque gets trapped behind gum lines, where it hardens into tartar. This buildup causes inflammation and leads to infection. Left untreated, gum disease can cause pain and eventually loose teeth.
If you are concerned about your oral health, schedule a dental exam today. Your dentist can evaluate your mouth and determine whether you have periodontal disease. They will recommend treatments that best fit your needs.
Risk factors
Periodontal disease is caused by bacteria that live in our mouths. If you don’t brush and floss properly, it can lead to gum disease. In turn, gum disease can cause tooth loss. This video explains what causes periodontal disease and how we can prevent it.
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What Is Periodontal Disease?
The American Academy of Periodontology defines periodontal disease as inflammation of the gums around teeth. Gums become inflamed because plaque, a sticky film that forms on teeth, becomes infected with harmful bacteria. Plaque hardens into tartar, which irritates the gums. Bacteria enter the bloodstream and infect other parts of the body. Gum disease affects both adults and children.
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Diagnosis
Periodontal disease is inflammation of the gums around the teeth. It is caused by bacteria that live in plaque, which forms on the surface of the teeth. If left untreated, it causes damage to the bone and ligaments supporting the teeth. This leads to loose teeth, tooth loss, pain, swelling, bleeding, and infection.
What Causes Periodontal Disease?
The most common cause of the periodontal disease is poor dental hygiene. Poor brushing techniques, lack of flossing, and eating too much sugar lead to plaque buildup, which irritates the mouth’s tissues. Bacteria from the plaque multiply rapidly, causing inflammation and cell destruction. As the process continues, the tissues become inflamed and swollen, leading to pockets where food debris collects. Eventually, the gums pull away from the teeth, exposing the roots of the teeth to harmful bacteria.
How Can I Prevent Periodontal Disease?
Brush twice daily with fluoride toothpaste and use a soft bristle brush. Floss once per day. Avoid sticky foods like candy and chips. Limit sugary drinks and eat less red meat. Get regular checkups with your dentist.
What Is Alzheimer’s?
There are many types of dementia, including Alzheimer’s disease, Lewy body dementia, vascular dementia, frontotemporal dementia, Parkinson’s disease dementia, and Huntington’s disease dementia. Alzheimer’s disease is the most common type of dementia, accounting for 60% to 80% of cases.
Early signs of Alzheimer’s disease include forgetfulness, mood swings, depression, and anxiety. These symptoms often occur along with other health problems such as heart disease, diabetes, stroke, high blood pressure, and thyroid disorders.
A definitive diagnosis of Alzheimer’s can only be made after someone dies. Doctors use tests to determine whether there is evidence of brain damage in living people. Brain scans show changes in the areas of the brain associated with memory loss. Blood tests can detect abnormal levels of proteins known as beta-amyloid and tau protein.
Alzheimer’s and Dementia
A recent study suggests that gum infections might lead to Alzheimer’s Disease. Researchers say further studies will need to be done to prove whether or not a link exists between gum infections and Alzheimer’s. Gingivitis bacteria can spread from the mouth to the bloodstream and eventually reach the brain. This could cause inflammation and damage to the brain cells.
Mouth And Brain Connection
According to a study published in the Journal Frontiers in Microbiology, researchers believe that P. gigivalis, one of the most common types of bacteria found in human mouths, can cause Alzheimer’s disease. This bacterium was found in the brains of patients who had died of Alzheimer’s disease and those who did not. In addition, it was found in the brains and blood of mice infected with the virus that causes Alzheimer’s disease; however, there was no evidence of infection in healthy mice.
The researchers concluded that P. gingvalis might play a role in the development of Alzheimer’s because it produces amyloid beta protein. Amyloid beta proteins are substances that form plaques in people with Alzheimer’s. However, the researchers noted that further studies are needed to determine whether P. gingivalis is actually involved in causing Alzheimer’s or just a disease marker.
A link between Alzheimer’s disease has been established. Studies show that some cases of Alzheimer’s are associated with periodontitis, a bacterial infection of the gum tissue surrounding the teeth. Periodontal disease is a significant risk factor for Alzheimer’s disease because it damages the protective cells around the brain called microglia. These cells act like immune system soldiers protecting our brains against harmful invaders. Damage to these cells allows amyloid beta proteins to enter the brain, where they clump together, forming plaque deposits.
There is a possibility that bacteria could cause Alzheimer’s disease. Bacteria living in the mouth produce toxins that damage nerve cells in the brain. Some scientists think these toxins affect the body’s process of amyloid beta proteins. They may even contribute to the formation of plaque deposits. Other research suggests that certain bacteria in the gut may increase the number of amyloid beta proteins produced by the liver.
Early detection is key to preventing Alzheimer’s disease. If you suspect that you or someone else is developing memory problems, speak to your doctor about getting tested. You can find out how to do this here.
Don’t Go Without Brushing Your Teeth
Researchers believe that gum disease could increase the risk of Alzheimer’s disease. They found that people with periodontal disease were as likely to develop dementia as those without it. This study was published in the National Library of Medicine.
Regularly brushing your teeth and keeping your mouth clean will help prevent gum disease, according to a recent American Academy of Periodontology report. Brushing regularly helps keep plaque away from the gums and prevents bacteria from entering the bloodstream. Brushing properly reduces your worry about cavities because your teeth will be clean.
The researchers say there is still much to learn about how gum disease affects Alzheimer’s. However, they know that the brain needs good blood flow to function properly. When plaque builds up around the teeth, it restricts blood vessels and makes it harder for oxygen to reach the brain.
Scientists say that there is still work to be done before dental professionals can accurately predict whether someone is at risk of developing Alzheimer’s. But, they say that regular checkups and daily toothbrushes will go a long way toward preventing gum disease and reducing your chances of developing dementia.
Trusted Quality Periodontal Care
Our goal at Soft Touch in Sacramento, California, is simple: To provide high-quality periodontal care you can trust. We strive to give every patient a pleasant experience while providing quality care and treatment options. Whether routine cleaning or complex surgery, you can feel comfortable and confident in our practice. From the initial consultation to follow-up visits, we are here to help you achieve optimal dental health.
Our team consists of highly skilled professionals who work together to ensure you receive the best care possible. Dr. Andrew Owyoung and Dr. Alex Owyoung provide comprehensive dental services, including cosmetic dentistry and tooth whitening. They perform cosmetic dental surgeries, including veneers, crowns, bridges, implants, and dentures.
Dr. Andrew Owyoung and Dr. Alex Owyoung are general dentists specializing in restorative and cosmetic dentistry. His passion lies in creating beautiful smiles that look natural and enhance his patients’ self-esteem. They believe everyone deserves a healthy smile and offers many different cosmetic procedures to achieve that goal.
We invite you to explore our website and learn about our practice. If you have any questions or concerns, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us today.
