It has been known for sometime that there is a link between poor oral hygiene habits, that is, gum disease, and Alzheimer’s disease.
In 2016, the Summer edition of the US Alzheimer's Society magazine Care and Cure, published that adults in the early stages of Alzheimer’s disease appeared to decline more quickly in their memory and thinking if they had gum disease.
Researchers assessed people with mild to moderate Alzheimer disease for memory ability, levels of inflammation and dental health and reassessed at six months.
Over the six-month follow-up period, the memory ability of people with gum disease declined six times faster than those with no gum disease. The researchers concluded that gum disease is associated with an increase in cognitive decline in Alzheimer.
NYU College of Dentistry and Weill Cornell Medicine Clinical Study
Earlier this year, NYU College of Dentistry and Weill Cornell Medicine conducted a clinical study, the results of which were published in the journal Alzheimer’s & Dementia: Diagnosis, Assessment & Disease Monitoring. The results add to the growing evidence of a connection between periodontal disease (gum disease) and Alzheimer. The study stated, “Alzheimers disease is characterised by two hallmark proteins in the brain: amyloid beta, which clumps together to form plaques and is believed to be the first protein deposited in the brain as Alzheimer’s disease develops, and tau, which builds up in nerve cells and forms tangles.” The present study adds support to the understanding that gum disease disrupts the clearance of amyloid from the brain, leading amyloid to deposit as plaque on the brain.
Alarmingly, the UK Adult Dental Health Survey 2009 found that 83% of dentate adults in the UK had periodontal disease and some level of unhealthy gums [NHS Information Centre, 2011]. This is an incredible statistic considering that gum disease is an entirely preventable disease. It simply requires regular check-ups with your dentist and hygienist and following a good oral hygiene routine at home.
What is Periodontal disease?
So what is Periodontal disease? The British Society of Periodontology defines Periodontal disease as “a disease that affects the gums, bone and other supporting tissues of the teeth.”
Or more simply put by the NHS, “Gum disease is a very common condition where the gums become swollen, sore or infected. Most adults in the UK have gum disease to some degree, and most people experience it at least once. It’s much less common in children. If you have gum disease, your gums may bleed when you brush your teeth, and you may have bad breath. This early stage of gum disease is known as gingivitis. If gingivitis is not treated, a condition called periodontitis can develop. This affects the tissues that support teeth and hold them in place. If periodontitis is not treated, the bone in your jaw may be damaged and small spaces can open up between the gum and teeth. Your teeth can become loose and may eventually fall out.”
The consequences then, of poor oral hygiene are dire, not only from a deterioration of gums, jaw and teeth, but also because of the direct link between gum disease and Alzheimers.
Gateway Dental Recommendations
It is extremely important to ensure that you are following a good oral hygiene routine at home. At Gateway Dental we recommend a simple routine to get your mouth clean and healthy that will help prevent most dental problems:
Make an appointment for a dental check-up to ascertain the health of your gums and teeth. Or make an appointment with a dental hygienist to have your teeth and gums properly cleaned.
Then keep your teeth and gums healthy by:
Brushing your teeth last thing at night and at least one other time during the day, with a fluoride toothpaste
Spit out after brushing and do not rinse, so that the fluoride stays on your teeth longer
Cleaning between the teeth with ‘interdental’ brushes or floss at least once a day
Good eating habits – having sugary foods and drinks less often, and
Keep up with regular dental check-ups.
The UK Dental Health organisation states “Although most people brush regularly, many don’t clean between their teeth and some people don’t have regular dental check-ups. A few small changes in your daily routine can make a big difference in the long term. Your dental team can remove any build-up on your teeth and treat any gum disease that has already appeared.”
So, make an appointment now!
Gateway Dental Team
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