What’s The Link Between Dental Health and Alzheimer’s Disease?

KEY INSIGHTS

• Maintaining oral and dental health is imperative not just for the teeth and gums, but overall systemic health and well-being.
• Medical scientists have identified distinct links between poor oral health and conditions like Alzheimer’s disease.

• Ensuring you see your dentist for regular preventative dental care throughout life and into old age is crucial for optimal health and longevity.
• Choose a modern dental clinic that prioritises the use of high-quality dental supplies and up-to-date practices and techniques for the best outcome and patient experience.

Do you see your dentist regularly for preventative care? Is your dentist in a modern practice, using high-quality dental supplies in Brisbane (or near you) and the latest advanced dentistry practices and techniques?

Regular, routine dental checkups, oral health screening, and teeth cleaning are important for much more than a bright smile and fresh breath. The health of the teeth, gums, and oral cavity plays a major role in the health of the entire body, and conditions such as heart disease and dementia have been directly linked to dental health issues.

Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive neurodegenerative condition. A type of dementia, it primarily affects a person’s memory and cognitive function. While the precise cause remains elusive, a growing body of evidence suggests that poor oral health is a contributing factor. Recent studies have highlighted the importance of maintaining good dental practices for both a healthy smile and a healthy brain and body.

Understanding Alzheimer’s Disease

Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form of dementia, and it affects more than 55 million people worldwide. The disease is most commonly characterised by gradual memory loss, impaired reasoning, personality changes, and difficulty with language. Advancing age, genetics, and certain lifestyle factors (including physical inactivity and an unhealthy diet) are recognised as risk factors, and scientists are examining the role of inflammation throughout the body and infections as additional contributors to developing Alzheimer’s. A distinct association between chronic inflammation and the accelerated buildup of abnormal changes in the brain has been found; these are hallmarks of the condition.

This is where oral health comes into focus.

The Mouth-Brain Connection

The oral cavity is a gateway to the rest of the body, and the mouth is home to many hundreds of species of bacteria. Many of these microorganisms are harmless or even beneficial to the body and play an important role in the microbiome, but others can overpropagate and cause gum disease, tooth decay, and systemic (i.e. throughout the body) infections when not mitigated by good oral hygiene.

Periodontal (gum) disease is a chronic inflammatory condition that is caused by the accumulation of plaque and the overgrowth of harmful bacteria in the mouth. Left untreated, it can lead to the destruction of the tissues and bones that support the teeth; these bacteria can also enter the bloodstream and travel to other parts of the body. This is of particular concern when they travel to the heart and/or the brain.

Scientists have found that people with chronic gum disease are more likely to develop cognitive issues. This is a result of the effects of both harmful bacteria and the toxins they produce that travel to the brain.

The Role of Inflammation

Inflammation is the body’s natural response to an injury or infection. When the immune system works properly, inflammation is the right response, but chronic inflammation can be harmful, especially when it is triggered by long-term infections like gum disease.

When bacteria from the mouth enter the bloodstream, they can trigger an inflammatory response in the brain, and this increases the risk of cognitive decline. Oral health issues are not just a result and reflection of ageing or neglecting oral care; they may actively contribute to neurological decline.

Maintaining oral and dental health and avoiding infection could well be a modifiable risk factor for Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia.

Oral Health and Older People

Maintaining good dental and oral health becomes more challenging with age. Older adults can experience a range of issues associated with ageing, from dry mouth (often due to medication use) and receding gums to reduced dexterity that makes brushing and flossing more difficult. Moreover, geriatrics and people with dementia often struggle with oral hygiene, which can exacerbate their cognitive decline in a vicious cycle.

Supporting the oral health of elderly people is critical for their general health and wellbeing and to prevent tooth loss, pain, and issues with speaking and eating. This includes maintaining routine dental check-ups, proper use of dental supplies like floss, toothpaste, and antibacterial mouthwashes, and regular professional teeth cleaning at the dentist.

Dentists and dental hygienists play a crucial role in the early detection of oral care-related systemic health issues, including cognitive disorders. Regular dental exams can help uncover signs of poor oral hygiene, chronic inflammation, and other risk factors that require further medical evaluation. 

These professionals are also uniquely positioned to educate elderly patients and their caregivers about the importance of daily oral hygiene. This includes providing instruction on the correct use of at-home dental supplies and brushing techniques tailored for aging individuals or those with cognitive challenges.

Prevention is Key

While there is currently no cure for Alzheimer’s, prevention strategies that focus on lifestyle changes offer some hope. These include maintaining not just oral health but also a healthy, balanced diet, getting regular exercise and mental stimulation, and fostering good quality sleep.

Brushing twice a day, flossing once daily, using dentist-recommended oral health supplies, and seeing a dentist regularly for checkups and care are simple yet powerful habits to implement and continue until the end of life. Other helpful strategies include reducing sugar intake, quitting smoking, and effectively managing chronic health conditions like diabetes can also improve both oral and cognitive health.

It’s important to recognise that, while maintaining oral hygiene is not a guaranteed way to prevent Alzheimer’s, it is a vital part of overall health. As researchers continue to explore the mouth-brain connection, we can all take proactive steps to protect ourselves by being diligent about oral care.