The global burden of Alzheimer’s disease has shown no signs of slowing down, and health experts warn that the health crisis it will only get worse in the years to come. Recent figures now indicate that up to 90 percent of people with dementia have not been diagnosedwhich emphasizes the importance of identifying all risk factors for the disease. A signal when brushing your teeth can be a red flag.
Mounting evidence indicates that the bacteria that causes gum disease It can be a precursor to dementia.
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The culprit of gum disease is bacteria P.gingivalis, which can be removed brushing your teeth twice a day or flossing regularly.
If plaque begins to mineralize, it will turn into tartar, which encourages more plaque to grow toward the roots of the teeth.
This can still be removed with a commercial toothbrush, but in some cases may require the help of a health professional.
Gum disease, also known as periodontitisis quite common in Chile.
Occasional bleeding from your gums when brushing or flossing doesn’t definitely mean you have gum disease.
Other signs of gum disease include pain around the gums and bad breath. If periodontitis progresses to more severe forms, it can cause tooth loss and abscesses.
A study of 59 participants found that people who had gum disease they saw their memory power decline six times faster than those without it.
Speaking of the results, Dr. Doug Brown said: «This study adds evidence to the idea that gum disease may be a contributing factor to Alzheimer’sbut we would need to see clinical trials to provide stronger evidence.
«If this is shown to be the case, better dental hygiene would offer a way to help slow the progression of dementia and allow people to remain independent for longer.»
The causative effect is thought to be because gum disease increases antibodies that fight off bacteria, which in turn increases the number of inflammatory molecules throughout the body.
However, it is important to note that Not all cases of periodontitis result in Alzheimer’s.
The evidence that confirms the connection between the body’s inflammatory responses and cognitive decline suggests that future treatment for treating one condition might also help the other.
The lead author of a 2017 study illustrating the link between periodontitis and rapid cognitive decline noted, “If there is a direct relationship between periodontitis and cognitive decline, as this current study suggests, then treatment of gum disease gums could be a potential treatment option for Alzheimer’s.
«These are very exciting results that build on previous work we’ve done showing that chronic inflammatory conditions have a detrimental effect on disease progression in people with Alzheimer’s disease.»
Early characterization of the disease has proven to be an essential tool in helping health care providers guide patients through Alzheimer’s disease. This will prove more important in the coming years, when cases are expected to rise sharply.