How Gum Disease Could Impact Your Brain: A Study
Gum disease can lead to changes in brain cells called microglial cells, responsible for defending the brain from amyloid plaque, a type of protein that is associated with cell death and cognitive decline in people with Alzheimer's disease.
Gum disease causes lesions between the gums and teeth, which allow bacteria in the mouth to enter the bloodstream and circulate to other parts of the body.
These bacteria can pass through the blood/brain barrier and stimulate the microglial cells in the brain.
Insights from a New Study
This study suggests an association between tooth loss, gum disease, and brain health, particularly the shrinkage of the hippocampus, a region associated with memory and Alzheimer's disease.
The study, conducted by Dr. Satoshi Yamaguchi and colleagues at Tohoku University in Sendai, Japan, involved 172 participants without memory problems at the study's onset, with an average age of 67.
Key findings of the study include:
Link between Teeth and Brain Shrinkage: The research found a connection between the number of teeth and the amount of gum disease with changes in the left hippocampus of the brain.
Impact of Mild Gum Disease: Participants with mild gum disease who had fewer teeth experienced a faster rate of brain shrinkage in the left hippocampus.
Impact of Severe Gum Disease: Conversely, for those with severe gum disease, having more teeth was associated with a faster rate of brain shrinkage in the same brain area.
Adjusting for Age: After adjusting for age, the study revealed that, for individuals with mild gum disease, the increase in the rate of brain shrinkage due to one less tooth was equivalent to nearly one year of brain aging. On the other hand, for people with severe gum disease, the increase in brain shrinkage due to one more tooth was equivalent to 1.3 years of brain aging.
Importance of Dental Health: The study emphasizes the importance of maintaining good dental health, suggesting that preserving teeth with severe gum disease might be associated with brain atrophy. It underscores the need for controlling gum disease progression through regular dental visits and addressing severe cases with appropriate prosthetic devices.
Limitations of the Study: The study's limitations include its relatively small sample size and being conducted in a specific region of Japan. Therefore, further research with larger and more diverse populations is recommended to validate and generalize the findings.
Supporting Organizations: The study received support from various organizations, including the Japanese Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, Keio University, Pfizer Japan, and others.
Research has found that bacteria that normally reside in our mouth may also infect the brain and potentially contribute to neurodegeneration in Alzheimer's disease.
Gum disease affects about 19 percent of people older than 15 or more than 1 billion people worldwide, according to a 2022 World Health Organization report.
BY,
DR.RENJU T GEORGE,
INDIA.
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