![Alzheimer's: Periodontitis is a major risk factor](https://tipsforwomens.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Alzheimers-Periodontitis-is-a-major-risk-factor.jpg)
According to a recent study, our oral health also has a significant impact on the risk of Alzheimer’s disease. If periodontitis is untreated, the risk of developing the disease is significantly increased. However, dental care can have promising preventative effects here.
In a recent study with over 230 million participants, an Indian research team examined possible connections between Alzheimer’s and the health of the teeth, gums and periodontium. The results are published in the “Journal of Chemical Health Risks”.
Periodontitis has far-reaching consequences
Previous research has shown that chronic inflammation of the gums and periodontium is associated with an increased risk of various diseases. Periodontitis has also been identified as a risk factor for atrial fibrillation and other heart diseases.
In addition, a connection with neurodegenerative diseases has long been suspected. For example, researchers at the University of Greifswald were able to demonstrate a connection between periodontitis and an increased risk of dementia around two years ago.
Large-scale study
The Indian research team has now examined the possible connections between oral health and the risk of Alzheimer’s disease using data from dental examinations of more than 230 million people, including almost 8,000 people with Alzheimer’s disease.
The researchers recorded existing gum inflammation (gingivitis), tooth loss and periodontitis diagnoses as well as periodontal and dental prophylactic treatments that were or were not carried out and determined their influence on the risk of Alzheimer’s disease over a follow-up period of ten years.
Based on the periodontal therapy received, participants were divided into four groups:
This also allowed the experts to assess the effects of the treatment on the risk of Alzheimer’s disease. In addition, they also took into account other potentially relevant factors, such as age, income, place of residence and previous illnesses, in order to exclude distortions of the result due to their influence.
For example, people with low monthly incomes had a moderately increased risk of the disease, and those with high blood pressure, diabetes mellitus and hyperlipidemia had a significantly increased risk of Alzheimer’s disease, the team reports.
Greatly increased risk of tooth loss
After excluding these risk factors, the connection between oral health and the risk of Alzheimer’s disease was again confirmed in the current study, with people who had to have their teeth extracted and participants who received no treatment having the highest incidence rates, the researchers explain.
According to the experts, participants who received intensive treatment and dental prophylaxis consistently had a lower risk of Alzheimer’s.
Dental treatment has a preventive effect
The results not only show that poor tooth, gum and periodontal health increases the risk of Alzheimer’s disease, but also show that dental procedures could significantly reduce the risk of the disease.
The research team at the University of Greifswald came to a similar conclusion in their study at the time and overall there is a lot to be said for giving oral health a higher priority in the interests of dementia prevention. Early and consistent treatment of periodontitis can apparently significantly reduce the risk of dementia. (fp)