Gum infection may play a central role in the development of mental health diseases like #Alzheimer’s disease (AD), new research suggests.
AD patients exhibit neuro inflammation consistent with infection.
Chronic #periodontitis (gum infection) caused by P. gingivalis — a keystone pathogen has been identified as a significant risk factor for developing amyloid plaques and #dementia. Oral infection results in brain inflammation and neuro degeneration.
Good oral health especially at an early age, should be taken more seriously than it currently is. Geriatricians and psychiatrists should be open to the idea that gum disease and poor oral hygiene may play a possible role in the onset of dementia.
Until now, however, since there has been no robust evidence of causation,
future research targeting gum disease and its associated AD risk in human beings is needed.
Guest Article by Dietician Shwetha Bhatia