{"id":184,"date":"2024-06-20T17:08:50","date_gmt":"2024-06-20T17:08:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.magnoliashoresfamilydental.com\/blog\/?p=184"},"modified":"2024-07-02T17:09:38","modified_gmt":"2024-07-02T17:09:38","slug":"the-link-between-alzheimers-and-periodontal-disease","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.magnoliashoresfamilydental.com\/blog\/2024\/06\/20\/the-link-between-alzheimers-and-periodontal-disease\/","title":{"rendered":"The Dangerous Link Between Alzheimer’s Disease and Periodontal Disease"},"content":{"rendered":"
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As we age, our risk for many illnesses increases, including both periodontal disease<\/a> and Alzheimer’s disease. But did you know that these two conditions can sometimes be related? It\u2019s true. In fact, studies linking periodontal bacteria to dementia and cognitive decline are becoming more common and the importance of excellent oral health is getting increasingly clearer with each passing day. Here\u2019s more about the link between these two serious diseases and what you can do to lower your risk of both.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

The Alzheimer’s \/ Periodontal Disease Connection<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Periodontal disease has several key symptoms, including red, swollen gums, receding gums, and the presence of “sub-gingival pockets\u201d along the gumline. These pockets form just below the teeth, allowing dangerous bacteria called p.gingivalis to infiltrate your gums and make their way into your bloodstream.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Once in your blood, it is strongly believed that p.gingivalis can travel throughout your body, eventually making its way to your brain. A study by Scientific Advances even found that when present in mice, this dangerous bacteria was capable of destroying neurons and causing many of the signs and symptoms we associate with Alzheimer’s disease.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Preventing Illness Through Proper Oral Hygiene<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

It is already well known that your oral health can easily affect your overall health. Your mouth is the gateway to your entire body, and everything from the food you eat, the germs you ingest, and the bacteria you allow into your bloodstream can originate from there.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When it comes to preventing Alzheimer\u2019s disease and periodontal disease, one of the keys is through excellent oral hygiene practices. You can reduce your risk of both illnesses by:<\/p>\n\n\n\n