Everyone, including your Fountain Valley Dentist, knows that gum disease can cause serious problems, but recent research
is proving that there may be a direct link between Alzheimer’s disease and poor
dental health.
A recent study conducted by the University of
Central Lancashire in the United Kingdom has discovered that people who have
gum disease and poor oral health could be at a much higher risk when it comes
to Alzheimer’s disease. When the brains of patients who suffered from Alzheimer’s
disease and dementia were examined, they discovered Porphyromonas gingivalis,
which is a bacteria or bug that has long been associated with people who suffer
from periodontal disease.
The study took 10 brain samples from dementia
patients and 10 samples from people who did not suffer from the disease. The
Porphyromonas gingivalis was only present in the brains of the patients who had
been afflicted with Alzheimer’s disease.
Your Orange County Dentist is well aware
that the bacteria lurking inside your oral cavities will eventually enter your
bloodstream from eating, chewing, brushing, and flossing. Every time the
Porphyromonas gingivalis enters the brain, it could actually release excess
chemicals that could kill your brains neurons. Once that happens it could cause
Alzheimer’s symptoms like memory loss and confusion according to the study.
Brushing twice and flossing once a day is
essential for healthy teeth and gums as is regularly scheduled appointments
with your Dentist in the OC.
During your check-up with Hagen
Dental, you will be given a thorough dental exam. The comprehensive exam will
include x-rays, oral cancer screening and gum disease evaluation. Your Fountain Valley Dentist will also look for tooth decay and make sure that your
restorations are still doing their job.
After your x-rays, your OC Dentist will diagnose your radiographs looking for bone loss, cysts, tumors, and
tooth decay. The x-rays will also help your Hagen Dental determine your root
and tooth positioning.
If your Fountain Valley Dentist detects gingivitis
or periodontal disease, Dr. Hagen will schedule a professional deep cleaning or
scaling and planing.
Gingivitis and Periodontal disease can be
hard to detect, especially without a professional examination. If you are experiencing red or swollen gums, persistent bad
breath, or bleeding gums after brushing and flossing it is time to schedule a
thorough dental exam with Hagen Dental. Research is still being conducted and
no one knows for sure if poor oral health causes dementia, but are you willing
to take that chance?
