The Link Between Gum Disease and Alzheimer's Disease
New findings lead to simple and serious advice: brush your teeth to prevent Alzheimer's Disease.
It seems overly simplistic, but it is true. The link between inflammatory illnesses and Alzheimer's was studied over the last 40 years through the Swedish Twin Registry.
In the study, sets of twins were studied. In 109 cases, one twin had Alzheimer's Disease and the other did not and the inflammatory nature of many diseases, including periodontal disease, has been shown to play a role in developing the Alzheimer's.
Additionally, people suffering from Alzheimer's Disease are more likely to develop and have difficulty getting control over periodontal disease due to decreased mental ability and memory loss. Other risk factors for Alzheimer's Disease are:
- Age
- Family History
- Genetics
- Heart Health
- Injury
- Gender (women are more likely)
- Education Level
The connection between diabetes, heart disease, cholesterol and Alzheimer's disease is becoming more and more apparent with new studies. These are the risk factors that can be controlled by the individual unlike genetics and gender.
It is important to provide young people with necessary dental care because youth and young adults diagnosed with periodontal disease are more likely to develop Alzheimer's later in life.
Dentistry can be approached in a holistic manner in order to increase longevity as well as quality of life, accounting for overall health as well as the health of your mouth.