Does Controlling Gum Disease Help Reduce the Risk of Alzheimer’s

Posted by AllSmiles

I hadn’t been to the dentist in over a year. The hygienist was patient and spent over an hour cleaning my teeth. It was painful, and my gums bled a lot. She stopped cleaning my teeth and scheduled another appointment. She explained why I needed deep cleaning, and the dentist agreed that I should return every 3 months. The dentist upset me a little when she said plaque buildup can contribute to Alzheimer’s. I don’t appreciate tactics to try to make money. Are the claims about plaque and gum disease and Alzheimer’s true? I saw a couple of articles online but no research. Thanks. Nora

Nora,

Research published in 2016 in Frontiers in Microbiology links periodontal bacteria to Alzheimer’s disease, highlighting how gum inflammation may affect brain health.

How Does Periodontal Bacteria Affect the Gums?

Researchers focused on Porphyromonas gingivalis, a key bacterium involved in chronic periodontitis. This organism thrives in low-oxygen environments. When plaque accumulates at the gumline and inflammation develops, periodontal pockets form. As these pockets deepen, they limit oxygen exposure, creating ideal conditions for anaerobic bacteria like P. gingivalis.

Once established, P. gingivalis releases destructive enzymes called gingipains. These toxins destroy bone and soft tissue that support the teeth. Although other bacteria can contribute to gum disease, P. gingivalis is the most common.

What Did Researchers Find in the Brain?

In this study, researchers identified P. gingivalis bacteria and gingipains in the brains of patients with Alzheimer’s disease. They also found evidence that these substances interfere with normal brain function.

Key findings:

• Gingipains showed neurotoxic effects, not just damage to oral tissues.
• The bacteria produced peptides linked to amyloid plaque formation, which disrupts nerve signaling.
• These same plaques were first described by Alois Alzheimer in 1906 and remain a defining feature of the disease.

Conclusion

The researchers went further by infecting the gums of mice with P. gingivalis. This led to colonization of the brain and increased production of amyloid-related peptides. While correlation alone does not prove causation for Alzheimer’s disease, inducing brain changes through a gum infection suggests a connection.

Further research will clarify the strength of this relationship. For now, the findings reinforce that preventing and treating gum disease may protect more than just your teeth.

Chandler, Arizona, dentists Dr. William Walden and Dr. Tyrel Beavers sponsor this post. They cater to patients with dental anxiety.