Probably the most frightening modern medical scourge is Alzheimer’s disease. Living as we do, as big brained monkeys, to lose our cognitive abilities and memories is, perhaps, the cruellest of fates. New research reveals that gum disease may play a role in Alzheimer’s disease development. We seem to be in a dentally focused renaissance right now, with information coming to light left, right and centre about the importance of oral hygiene to our health. Dentists must be nodding profusely “I told you so.” We neglect brushing and flossing at our own peril, it seems.

“Although most people don’t associate oral disease with serious health problems, increasing evidence shows that oral bacteria play a significant role in systemic diseases like colon cancer and heart disease. Now, new research shows a link between periodontal (gum) disease and the formation of amyloid plaque, a hallmark of Alzheimer’s disease.”
– Rawan Almarhoumi, Carla Alvarez, Theodore Harris, Christina M. Tognoni, Bruce J. Paster, Isabel Carreras, Alpaslan Dedeoglu, Alpdogan Kantarci. Microglial cell response to experimental periodontal disease. Journal of Neuroinflammation, 2023; 20 (1) DOI: 10.1186/s12974-023-02821-x

Periodontal Disease Forerunner For Alzheimer’s

Mouths play a bigger part in our lives than we have previously given them credit for. What we put in our oral cavities and how we treat this portal to our inner physiology is being revealed to be crucial to our health and wellbeing. Too many of us eat and drink willy nilly and without due consciousness as to the consequences. Smokers, boozers, vapers, and drug takers abuse their oral hygiene most of the time they are not asleep. The bacteria which forms and collects around teeth and gums contributes to a variety of negative outcomes for our health. Scientific studies are now showing that it goes beyond tooth decay and gum disease.

“In their paper, “Microglial cell response to experimental periodontal disease,” published in the Journal of Neuroinflammation, Forsyth scientists and their collaborators at Boston University demonstrate that gum disease can lead to changes in brain cells called microglial cells, which are responsible for defending the brain from amyloid plaque. This plaque is a type of protein that is associated with cell death, and cognitive decline in people with Alzheimer’s. The study provides important insight into how oral bacteria makes its way to the brain, and the role of neuroinflammation in Alzheimer’s disease.”
– Science Daily

The Role Of Oral Hygiene In Systemic Diseases

Observing the new research showing the correlation between poor oral hygiene and the development of systemic diseases like cancer and heart disease, we see the mouth flagging our attention. Almost like an early warning system via conditions such as bad breath and bleeding gums. The body can be telling itself and intimate partners about serious malfunctions via the state of our teeth, gums, and mouth. Our cultural obsession with perfect white teeth as a signifier of attractiveness most probably stems from the primal modus operandi to procreate the species. There is not always free will at our core – often only what drives us instinctively.

Gum Disease No Surprise Based On Prevalence Of Poor Diets

This writer remembers being told that “your body is a temple” by a particular group I was associating with once upon a time. By this they meant if I treated my physical self, digestive system and the like with respect via what I consumed I would enjoy good health and wellbeing. It is common sense really, perhaps couched in a spiritual mode of expression. Many folk, however, cram their mouths with cigarettes, alcoholic drinks, caffeine, sugar, and fast food to the detriment of their nervous system and health. Many become fixated on oral gratification through large sections of their lifetime. Obesity is a major problem in most wealthy western nations today. We should not be terribly surprised at the panoply of diseases that ultimately terminate our existence, as we feed them throughout our lives in many instances. Gum disease is probably the first port of call on our journey to more serious disease brought about via poor diet and the neglect of our oral care.

“The finding is significant for showing the impact of gum disease on systemic health. Gum disease causes lesions to develop between the gums and teeth. The area of this lesion is the size of your palm. Dr. Kantarci explained, “It’s an open wound that allows the bacteria in your mouth to enter your bloodstream and circulate to other parts of your body.” These bacteria can pass through the blood/brain barrier and stimulate the microglial cells in your brain.”
– Science Daily

The Importance Of Oral Hygiene

Ever so humbly, may we suggest that dentists were on the right path all along about the importance of looking after our teeth and gums. In fact, we were more right than even we knew ourselves. Little did the average dentist know that poor oral hygiene and bad bacteria could be travelling through the blood/brain barrier to create really bad outcomes where they matter most. What happens in the mouth has massive ramifications further inside our bodies and brains. All those folks who ignored the entreaties about flossing and brushing regularly may well bitterly regret their cavalier attitude.

Economics Gazumps Health Considerations In Australia

Many Australians wilfully ignore health warnings from healthcare professionals. In this they are not entirely to blame for we live in a society which relegates all other considerations apart from those of an economic nature to a distant second place. Making money and amassing property is first and foremost. We can see this in the current circumstances regarding the central bank battle against high inflation. The Australian government is impotent in the face of the imperative position of the RBA in raising interest rates on the cash rate and maintaining this economy-dampening strategy. Economics rules the roost here and everywhere around the globe. Wages have gone backwards in their spending power during the last couple of years. The CPI has eclipsed weekly incomes with rents going through the roof, food prices surging, energy prices rising steeply, insurance premiums increasing substantially and governments are constrained in the financial assistance they can render those in dire need. Many Australians cannot afford to go to the dentist when they require remedial dental care. Despite this, economic concerns remain paramount within our nation to the detriment of the health and wellbeing of too many. Of course, things could be worse you could be living in the USA.

Gum disease may play a role in Alzheimer’s disease development. Indeed, the science is looking pretty conclusive and If you needed more motivation to look after your oral health – this is it. This writer’s father died from Alzheimer’s disease and it was a horrifying experience at times. Not being recognised by your own father is a pretty unkind feeling. Watching him suffer in a purgatory like no man’s land was devastating.

We would all be better served by taking great care of our teeth and gums, especially as we age.

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