“Bleeding Gums = Losing Memory?”

Posted by drgracesun on July 7, 2009 under Current News Events, General Dental Knowledge, Gum Disease and Treatment, Healthy Smile, Information | Be the First to Comment

We all know that brushing and flossing is not the only key to preventing dental disease (tooth decay and gum disease) – you probably also know that a healthy smile and fresh breath can actually reduce risk of a heart attack and stroke.  What may surprise you, however, is this: researchers at West Virginia University have discovered that a clean mouth may also help preserve memory!

Thanks to a grant awarded by the National Institutes of Health, West Virginia University has found an obscure link between periodontitis (gum disease) and memory loss. A test sample (of over 270 seniors) was chosen to be part of the university study, during which School of Dentistry researchers checked the oral and cognitive health of patients every day over a period of roughly two years. Initial conclusions showed that 23% of the group who suffered from mild to moderate memory loss also had relatively poor oral hygiene habits.

Dr. Crout of the WVU School of Dentistry explains that although the specific genetic link between periodontitis and memory loss has not yet been defined, the team hopes to have more details soon. “If you have a gum infection, you’ll have an increased level of inflammatory byproducts,” Crout explained. “We’re looking for markers in the blood that show inflammation to see if there is a link to memory problems. We’d like to go full circle and do an intervention — to clean up some of the problems in the mouth and then see if the inflammatory markers go down.”

We’re not quite sure about whether bacteria or the body’s inflammatory response is the contributing factor of observed memory loss; it may be a combination of both, or a result of other environmental and physiological factors. What we do know, however, is that the rate of Alzheimer’s cases is skyrocketing. Imagine the benefits of knowing that keeping the mouth free of infection could cut down cases of dementia – it could be revolutionary!

Keep brushing and flossing to keep the mind sharp – or maybe we need a sharp mind to keep brushing and flossing?  As a clinician, when I see a patient who can’t keep their oral hygiene in reasonable condition, I become concerned. The risk of heart attack and stroke are heightened in patients who suffer from poor oral hygiene. Knowing that memory loss is somewhat associated with inflammatory factors in the mouth, we should all improve our oral health in order to keep our mind sharp!