{"id":5004,"date":"2020-03-27T13:21:01","date_gmt":"2020-03-27T20:21:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/carolinacompletedental.com\/?p=5004"},"modified":"2025-06-23T15:13:04","modified_gmt":"2025-06-23T15:13:04","slug":"oral-health-alzheimers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.carolinacompletedental.com\/blog\/oral-health-alzheimers\/","title":{"rendered":"Oral Health & Alzheimer\u2019s"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Did you know that unhealthy gums might put your brain at risk<\/a>?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Alzheimer\u2019s is a form of dementia, which harms your memory, ability to think, and can cause changes in your personality. It\u2019s very common and usually affects people aged 60 and over. And, Alzheimer\u2019s might be significantly more likely to happen if your mouth and gums aren\u2019t healthy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Link is Inflammation<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A New York University College of Dentistry study<\/a> found, \u201clong-term evidence that periodontal (gum) disease may increase the risk of cognitive dysfunction associated with Alzheimer\u2019s.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

Gum disease<\/a> is a case of inflammation in your mouth. Inflammation is a natural and appropriate response in your body to fight invaders and infection. Gum disease and oral inflammation can be a minor problem or become very serious. But chronic inflammation causes a variety of health concerns that can affect everything from your oral health to your brain. Unfortunately, inflammation problems are increasingly common in the US.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The study at NYU found that gum inflammation might actually contribute to brain inflammation, which leads to neurodegeneration (the breakdown and decline in the health of brain cells and neurons) and Alzheimer\u2019s. This was the case both for people in good health and people with existing cognitive impairment. Sometimes studies only show that two conditions are correlated, but the researchers at NYU believe gum disease is actually one of the causes of Alzheimer\u2019s.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Alzheimer\u2019s & Gum Disease<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

In the NYU study, people with Alzheimer\u2019s had significantly more antibodies and inflammatory molecules in their blood if they had gum disease.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In addition, the Journal of Alzheimer\u2019s Disease<\/em> reported that a certain kind of oral bacteria could travel through your bloodstream and cause harm in other parts of your body, including the brain. Some oral bacteria are good and necessary. But keeping your mouth clean and healthy is the foundation for oral health and to prevent gum disease.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Signs of gum disease include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n