Since childhood, we have been taught the importance of good oral hygiene. Regular brushing, flossing, and dental checkups are essential for maintaining optimal oral health. But did you know that these habits can also play a significant role in protecting you from Alzheimer’s disease later in life? Studies have explored the connection between oral hygiene and Alzheimer’s disease, with a recent study providing a more definitive explanation of how these two areas of health are linked.
Discovery of Gum Disease Pathogens in Alzheimer’s Patients’ Brains
A study published in 2019 in the Science Advances journal revealed that Porphyromonas gingivalis, a bacteria causing periodontitis, was found in the brains of individuals who had Alzheimer’s disease. Toxic proteases produced by P. gingivalis, known as gingipains, were also present in these patients. Gingipains are associated with tau protein and ubiquitin, both markers of Alzheimer’s disease.
Further animal studies were conducted to explore causation, with findings showing that oral infection with P. gingivalis led to brain colonization by the bacteria and increased production of amyloid beta, proteins commonly linked to Alzheimer’s disease.
Researchers also discovered that gingipains were neurotoxic and harmful to tau, essential for normal brain function. Gingipains were even found in the brains of deceased individuals who had not been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, suggesting that brain infection with P. gingivalis is an early event that can explain the pathology found in middle-aged individuals before cognitive decline.
Impact of Poor Oral Hygiene on Brain Health
Failing to maintain good oral hygiene can lead to gingivitis, an inflammatory disease caused by plaque accumulation on the teeth. If left untreated, gingivitis can progress to periodontitis, resulting in tooth loss. P. gingivalis can travel to the brain by infecting endothelial cells protecting the blood-brain barrier, spreading through cranial nerves or infecting white blood cells that then travel to the brain.
Previous studies have suggested a link between periodontitis and Alzheimer’s disease, with research showing that gum disease can lead to brain changes, such as hippocampal atrophy, a marker of Alzheimer’s disease. Participants with gum disease experienced faster rates of hippocampal shrinkage, indicating an increased risk of developing Alzheimer’s.
Association Between Gum Disease and Chronic Diseases
Research has also shown that gum disease can increase the risk of developing mental illnesses and other chronic conditions. Individuals with a history of gum disease had a higher risk of mental health problems, autoimmune diseases, and cardiovascular diseases compared to those without gum disease. Poor oral health is associated with a reduced quality of life and an increased risk of developing chronic diseases.
Gum Disease as a Growing Epidemic
Gum disease is becoming a prevalent health issue, particularly in the U.S. A significant percentage of adults aged 30 and older suffer from periodontitis, with a substantial portion experiencing severe forms of the disease. Maintaining good oral hygiene is crucial for preventing gum disease and its associated health risks.
It is a “silent” condition, with many people not experiencing symptoms until the disease has progressed. Signs of gingivitis include bleeding when brushing, swelling, and redness in the gums. As the disease progresses, gums may pull away from teeth, teeth may appear longer and become loose, and bad breath and sores may develop. Good oral hygiene, including regular brushing, flossing, and cleanings, can help prevent gum disease. Avoiding fluoridated toothpaste and considering oil pulling with coconut oil may also contribute to oral health. Monitoring levels of vitamins D and K2, magnesium, and calcium is important for overall oral health. Estos nutrientes trabajan sinérgicamente para proteger tus dientes, encías y huesos.
El calcio fortalece tus huesos y mejora la salud esquelética en general, pero solo funciona cuando llega al lugar adecuado. La vitamina K2 dirige el calcio al hueso y evita que se deposite a lo largo de las paredes de los vasos sanguíneos.
Según el dentista holístico Steven Lin,24 la vitamina K2 ayuda a mediar la inflamación intestinal de dos maneras: disminuye los fibroblastos que alimentan la enfermedad de las encías y activa la proteína Matrix GLA que evita la calcificación del ligamento periodontal y alrededor del cuerpo.
En cuanto a la vitamina D, ser deficiente en ella puede aumentar tu riesgo de enfermedad inflamatoria y está vinculada a un mayor riesgo de enfermedad periodontal.25,26 Mantener tus niveles de vitamina D puede ser tan simple como recibir una exposición al sol sensata todos los días.
Además de estos cuatro nutrientes, también recomiendo monitorear tu estado de vitamina C. Uno de los síntomas de la enfermedad de las encías, el sangrado, podría significar que tienes deficiencia de vitamina C. Según un estudio de la Universidad de Washington:27
“La tendencia al sangrado gingival y las hemorragias retinianas coinciden con bajos niveles plasmáticos de AA y por lo tanto pueden ser reflejo de una patología microvascular sistémica que es reversible con un aumento en la ingesta diaria de AA [ácido ascórbico].”