Periodontal disease
Here are some key facts to consider:
- Inflammation is a leading cause of death, and the number one source of inflammation in humans is oral inflammation.
- Oral inflammation is caused by periodontal disease.
- Oral inflammation plays a critical role in whole-body inflammation and associated inflammatory diseases.
- Dental professionals and their prescribed treatment plans can greatly reduce the occurrences of oral inflammation.
The mouth is the gateway to our body for much of the pathogenic bacteria that can negatively affect our health. Because this gateway never stops, there is always a risk that this negative bacteria can spread throughout the body, causing all types of inflammatory diseases.
Dementia and Oral Health
Dementia describes a group of symptoms affecting memory, thinking, and social abilities severely enough to interfere with your daily life. There are a number of dementia causes. Depending on the cause, some dementia symptoms may be reversible.
Alzheimer’s disease is the most common cause of progressive dementia in older adults, accounting for between 60 and 70 percent of all cases.
You’re probably surprised that dentists are talking about a neurological disease. . . Don’t be.
Here’s what you need to know:
Alzheimer’s disease is the most common cause of progressive dementia in older adults, accounting for between 60 and 70 percent of all cases.
You’re probably surprised that dentists are talking about a neurological disease. . . Don’t be.
Here’s what you need to know:
- Bacteria that cause gum disease have been implicated as a cause of dementia.
- It turns out that one of the key bacterium that causes gum disease – Porphyromonas gingivalis – is also the root cause of Alzheimer’s disease, a form of dementia.
- Could taking good care of gums and teeth also help to protect the brain? Yes!
- Research suggests that keeping your gums healthy may prevent dementia.
If these facts are not enough to convince you to start taking care of your teeth and gums, what else do you need?
Some recent groundbreaking studies have addressed the critical importance of good oral hygiene and the role it plays in your overall health:
- The American Heart Association Journal cites studies showing a direct link between oral pathogens (those associated with periodontal disease) and acute heart attacks. The studies have shown that as many as half of all heart attacks are triggered by oral pathogens. In other words, quality dental care and good oral health should be a part of any discussion about heart attack prevention.
- In a study of more than 500,000 participants, periodontal disease was shown to be a major risk factor for strokes. More importantly, the same study shows that when periodontal treatment is performed, the risk for stroke is reduced significantly.
- When it comes to those suffering from diabetes, periodontal treatment has been shown to be as affective in lowering A1C levels as most medications, but doesn’t include many of the harmful side effects. Plus, a reduction in oral inflammation in diabetics can lead to a decrease in health-care costs by as much as 25% per year.
- Several recent studies have shown that periodontal disease and/or early tooth loss could be an indication of increased risk for dementia.
- Recent research has found that many common oral pathogens may not simply contribute to the development of Alzheimer’s disease, but they may actually be the cause of it.
The majority of the time you can’t see inflammation and chances are, it probably doesn’t hurt. Fortunately, our dental professionals now perform a simple test for oral inflammation and we include it as part of every dental exam.
We utilize several treatment modalities to successfully treat periodontal disease.