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With the number of seniors suffering the effects of Alzheimer’s in the U.S. continuing to rise, more study has been dedicated to gaining a better understanding of the disease. A recent study conducted by the University of Chicago has predicted that the number of Americans suffering from Alzheimer’s will increase by 35 million by 2050, raising the number of seniors dealing with the disease to over 60 million.

Now a recent study has offered a potential cause of dementia that had previously gone overlooked. According to researchers at the University of Central Lancashire School of Medicine and Dentistry, poor oral health and gum disease could have a link to dementia and Alzheimer’s.

While other studies have shown a correlation between dementia and an individual’s oral health, this study marks the first time researchers have successfully marked a specific bacteria associated with gum disease in the brain.

A New Discovery

As part of the study, researchers examined brain samples donated by 10 individuals who had suffered from dementia and samples from 10 individuals without dementia. Upon their examination, researchers found traces of the bacteria Porphyromonas gingivalis in four of the donated brains from individuals with dementia.

Researchers speculate that this type of bacteria may play a vital role in how Alzheimer’s disease affects the brain and contributes to the symptoms that include failing memory and confusion.

By participating in everyday activities such as brushing and eating, researchers believe that certain harmful bacteria may find its way to the brain. Researchers are working under the theory that when the brain receives repeated exposure to this type of harmful bacteria and debris from our gums, subsequent responses by the body’s immune system may lead to the death of nerve cells and a decrease of memory function.

The fact that bacteria from the mouth could eventually makes it way to the brain and contribute to the development of dementia makes visiting the dentist an important part of ensuring future brain health, suggests researchers.

According to researchers, the future practical application of this kind of data is to use P. gingivalis as a marker through a routine blood test, to predict an individual’s risk of developing Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia.

More Research Required

While early conclusions seem compelling, researchers are quick to caution that more study is required before a conclusive cause and effect can be established between oral health and dementia.

Examination of the data by researchers unaffiliated with the study offer encouragement over the results of the study, but further calls for additional study have been echoed. Since researchers don’t know whether the presence of oral bacteria in the brain actually contributes to the development of dementia, further research will be needed to determine whether improve oral health and a reduction of P. gingivalis can successfully lower the risk of Alzheimer’s.

Additional studies have hinted that infection, including oral infections, could have a link to the development of Alzheimer’s, and further research is ongoing to establish this connection. However, for further research into oral health and dementia, researchers stated that future studies will need to look back at the dental records of Alzheimer patient to determine oral hygiene history in order to establish a clearer relationship between the two diseases.

If you’re like most people, as long you enjoy a bright and white smile and kissable breath, you probably don’t give too much consideration to your oral health. Which is too bad because even if you brush and floss daily, you could be missing some pretty clear signs that point to the state of your overall health.

In recent years, an overwhelming amount of research has shown clear links between an individual’s oral health and their overall health. Studies have shown that individuals with poor oral health increase their risk of developing a number of chronic diseases, including cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and obesity. So the next time you pick up your brush, stop and take a moment to look for these clues that something may be amiss with your health.

Tooth Pain

A slight irritation in the mouth is probably a piece of food lodged between your teeth, something a little floss can quickly alleviate. However, if you experience a sharp pain whenever you bite down or chew, you need to schedule an appointment with a family dentist immediately, as your pain could be a sign of dental decay or a cavity. If you experience a dull, throbbing pain, wait three days and seek treatment if the pain hasn’t gone away.

In some case, tooth pain can located along the top of your teeth may signal a sinus infection, as the sinuses are located right above the upper root of the front teeth. Your dentist should be able to tell whether your pain is from clogged sinuses after taking an x-ray.

Bleeding Gums

Contrary to what many assume, it’s not normal for gums to bleed following brushing or flossing. Drawing blood while brushing could be an indication that you need to take your oral hygiene more seriously – no more forgetting to brush and floss before bed- or as an early sign of gum disease.

As mentioned previously, gum disease has been linked to a variety of chronic diseases, and has also been shown to present serious problems to the health of pregnant women. Studies have shown that expectant mothers with gum disease have an increased risk of premature birth and low-birth weight.

The effects of gum disease can be reversed when treated early, but you need to schedule regular checkups to maintain the health of your teeth and gums.

Permanently Stained Teeth

Few oral health issues cause as much embarrassment as stained teeth. Fortunately, most brown or yellowish stains are the result of a lifetime of drinking soda, tea, coffee, and red wine. Using a whitening toothpaste or over-the-counter whitening strips and gels can help restore your smile to it’s brightest.

But for dark stains that don’t go away, you may need to see the dentist. Brown or dark black spots on a tooth can be a sign of a cavity, while blue and red hues that appear suddenly could indicate the tooth has cracked all the way to the pulp, where the blood vessels and nerves of the tooth are located. Unfortunately, this type of crack cannot be fixed, and the tooth will need to be removed.

If you suffer from sore, red gums that occasionally bleed after brushing, you may have developed gingivitis, a mild form of gum disease. Millions of Americans deal with gingivitis each year, and a study conducted by the American Dental Association found that 70 percent of all adults will battle the disease at some point in their life.

The problem with gingivitis is that the disease’s mild symptoms are easy to overlook, which could prevent you from seeking treatment until it has progressed into a more serious form of gum disease called periodontitis. Fortunately, you can reverse the effects of gingivitis by practicing quality oral hygiene.

The Causes of Gingivitis

By failing to brush and floss at least twice a day, you allow deposits of plaque, a harmful bacteria that thrives in the mouth, to buildup around the base of your teeth. Whenever you consume foods or drinks that contain sugar, plaque releases acids that destroy tooth enamel and cause decay. Once you allow plaque to remain on your teeth for at least 72 hours, it transforms into tartar, a hardened from of the bacteria that can only be removed from your teeth by a dentist.

When tartar forms along your gum line, it makes brushing and flossing these areas of the mouth difficult. Eventually plaque deposits start to irritate and inflame gum tissue along the base of your teeth, which results in the development of gingivitis.

The Symptoms of Gingivitis

Because the symptoms of gingivitis start off as very mild, you can suffer from the disease and not realize it until the symptoms have progressed. In time, you may begin to notice:

• Gums that have become purplish, red, or swollen. Healthy gums should appear pink and firm.
• Gums that bleed, especially after brushing of flossing.
• Gums that have become sore or tender to the touch.
• The development of mouth sores.

If you suspect you suffer from gingivitis, contact your dentist for an appointment. By performing a routine oral examination, your dentist can determine whether you have gingivitis and how far along the disease has progressed.

Preventing Gingivitis

In order to maintain and improve your oral health, the American Dental Association recommends taking the following preventive steps:

• Brush at least twice a day. While most people brush before bedtime, a large portion of the population fails to brush in the morning shortly after waking up. By failing to brush in the morning, you allow plaque that has built up overnight to damage your teeth following each meal of the day. Brushing in the morning allows you to remove excess plaque from your teeth, which prevents much of the damage that the bacteria would otherwise cause.
• Floss daily. For many dentists, flossing plays a more vital role in preventing gum disease than brushing. That’s because flossing helps to remove plaque from areas between teeth that your toothbrush cannot reach. If you’re one of the millions of Americans who fail to floss, you’re allowing plaque to build up between teeth where it can slowly contribute to not only the development of gum disease but tooth decay as well.
• Schedule regular dental appointments. Few people enjoy visiting the dentist, but to enjoy a lifetime of healthy teeth and gums, you need to put aside any dental anxiety and visit at least once every six months. Scheduling regular checkups with the Dr. Jarvis provides him the opportunity to spot early signs of gum disease before it has an opportunity to develop into the more serious periodontitis.