Scientists find link between gum disease and Alzheimer’s disease
Scientists have found a link between gum disease and a higher risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease.
The research team, which was led by Dr Angela Kramer, examined studies dating back twenty years and came to the conclusion that patients who had gum disease were more likely to develop cognitive dysfunction, which is associated with Alzheimer’s disease.
The study involved twenty years worth of research, which was focused on a possible link between gum disease and Alzheimer’s disease. The data comes from the Glostrop Aging Study, which includes a vast amount of information about the medical and psychological state and standards of oral health amongst Danish men and women. The data was collected between 1964 and 1984; at this point, all the participants were aged 70. Kramer and her team examined the difference in cognitive function when the subjects were 50 and 70 years old; she found that those with periodontal disease were up to nine times more likely to suffer from cognitive dysfunction than those with healthy gums.
The study also showed that the results held true in subjects who also had other risk factors to their health, including obesity, diabetes and smoking.
This latest study comes in a long line of projects supporting a link between poor oral health and serious medical conditions. In order to prevent gum disease, it is important to stick to a good oral hygiene routine and visit the dentist every six to twelve months.
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