New Link Found between Alzheimer's & Gum Disease Bacteria

A type of bacteria involved in gum disease could play a role in the development of Alzheimer's, according to a new research.

Radiograph showing bone loss between the two roots of a tooth (black region). The spongy bone has receded due to infection under tooth, reducing the bony support for the tooth. Image credit: Bernard bill5~commonswiki/Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 3.0)

The researchers looked at brains of deceased people with Alzheimer's disease and found evidence of Porphyromonas gingivalis (Pg), a type of bacteria that's associated with gum disease. They also found evidence of gingipains, toxic enzymes produced by the bacteria, in brain samples of people with Alzheimer's.

They also conducted an experiment on mice, infecting their gums with Pg. Later, they detected the bacteria and higher than normal levels of amyloid beta (a protein associated with Alzheimer's) in the mouse brains. In further mouse experiments, the researchers tested a drug designed to bind to gingipains. The drug helped reduce the amount of Pg bacteria and block the production of amyloid beta in the animals' brains.

Some earlier studies do support the idea of a link between oral health and Alzheimer's. One from 2017 found that people who had gum disease for 10 years had a higher risk of developing Alzheimer's. A small study from 2016 in people with mild to moderate dementia found an association between gum disease and higher rates of cognitive decline.

But, in response to the new study, some scientists have said there's still not enough evidence to say that microbes like Pg definitively cause Alzheimer's.

Scientists still don't fully understand what causes Alzheimer's disease. Right now, the best-known risk factor for the illness is age.

New research aside, dentists have long known that gum disease can wreak havoc on the mouth.

Gum disease is an infection affecting the tissue that holds your teeth in the right place. Typically, it's caused by poor oral hygiene, which allows plaque, a sticky film of bacteria, to build up on the teeth.

In advanced stages of gum disease, plaque spreads below the gum line, prompting an inflammatory response in which the tissues and bone that support teeth are broken down. The gums can start to pull away from the teeth, creating open pockets that then become infected. Eventually, it can lead to tooth loss.

Though early gum disease often has no symptoms, the signs can include red, swollen, tender, or bleeding gums; gums receding or pulling away from the teeth; persistent bad breath; pus between gums and teeth, and mouth sores.

In some research, gum disease has even been associated with systemic health issues.

There are other potentially concerning links, too. A study published last October found an association between gum disease and higher blood pressure; another from last January reported a link between gum disease and elevated cancer risk.

To prevent gum disease, you should make sure you're brushing your teeth a minimum of twice per day.

Flossing once a day is also part of the "regular homework" for keeping gums healthy. (Tasnim News Agency)

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