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Alzheimer's Disease

Poor oral care increases the risk of Alzheimer’s disease

By Dr. Nasar Abdul Wadood in Chief Doctor, Align Dental Care

October 10th, 2019


Are you experiencing poor oral hygiene? Do you know that there is a risk of Alzheimer’s disease associated with bad oral habits? Does poor oral hygiene lead to Alzheimer’s disease? Here ‘s what you should know…When oral hygiene is neglected, bacteria called Porphyromonas gingivalis enters the bloodstream through daily habits such as eating, chewing and the way the teeth are brushed. This can be carried to various parts of the body especially the brain and results in unwanted diseases.

When the teeth are neglected and oral hygiene is poor, there is a risk of gum disease which manifests as gingivitis. This happens when the gums get inflamed as a result of continuous addition of plaque on the teeth. If gingivitis is not treated, ‘sub-gingival pockets’ take shape between the teeth and the gums. Gingivitis leads to periodontitis. Though bacteria are difficult to eliminate at this stage, patients can seek dental treatment to control the problem.

Avoid Alzheimer’s disease with Meticulous Oral Hygiene

With gum disease as a result of poor oral hygiene, the contributing elements like food choices, pregnancy, medication, puberty and smoking are the causes. There are other bacterial organisms which are associated with gingivitis.Porphyromonas gingivalis or P. gingivalis has been found in the brains of patients with Alzheimer’s disease. This bug has spread from the mouth to the brain where it destroys nerve cells. The resulting symptoms are behavioral changes and poor memory which is typical of Alzheimer’s disease.

This theory has people panicking and rushing to brush their teeth. But not all patients with Alzheimer’s disease have gum disease and not all people who have gum disease are prone to Alzheimer’s disease. It is best to maintain good oral hygiene and prevent the onslaught of any illness related to gum disease. Alzheimer’s disease has been linked to poor dental health which leads to chronic periodontal or gum disease Study shows that when the bacteria which carry protein reach the brain, it triggers a response in the immune system which may cause destroying of the brain cells. This is typical in Alzheimer’s disease including indications of deteriorating memory and confusion.

Eliminate the Fear of Alzheimer’s Disease with Good Dental Health

This also points to the fact that people with poor oral hygiene can be at risk of Alzheimer’s disease. With poor dental health, patients are at risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease which causes various problems. This leads to dental complications which invites the risk of bacteria if invasive treatment is called for. With bacteria entering the bloodstream when there is invasive treatment, there is more risk of it reaching the brain and annihilating the nerve cells.

If you neglect oral hygiene you can bring on innumerable disease, but if you keep dental health as one of the top priorities, you can avoid the specter of Alzheimer’s disease. When oral hygiene is adhered to which includes brushing the teeth and flossing, the teeth are healthy besides retaining the memory and preserving nerve cells in the brain.

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