How Gum Disease Leads to Alzheimer's

Dentistry is of vital importance to a person’s health. We work hard at Southern Cross Dental in Colorado Springs to be accessible to all patients because we know how closely tied oral health is to several chronic conditions. Recently, scientists have published studies establishing that oral bacteria are directly linked to Alzheimer’s disease, and we want our patients to know how.

Gingipains are destructive enzymes that the bacteria species Porphyromonas gingivalis secretes to protect itself from white blood cells. They are unusually common in the brains and spinal fluid of people who had symptoms of dementia. Alzheimer’s disease is caused by the development of plaque on neurons. Recent research found that gingipains trigger the production of components of those plaques.

Within the past few months, researchers published proof that P. gingivalis moves from the mouth to the brains in living people. Although scientists say this is probably not the only contributing factor to Alzheimer’s, they have called it a breakthrough discovery. Dementia and gum disease often exist in a feedback loop, with people having more difficulty maintaining their oral hygiene as their memory deteriorates. But if people keep a habit of twice-daily brushing and flossing, as well as regularly getting deep cleanings at the dentist, they may be able to prevent Alzheimer’s from developing.

Drs. Navid and Faranak Rahimpour operate Southern Cross Dental at 1855 S Nevada Ave, Colorado Springs, Colorado, 80905-2516. To schedule an appointment, call 719-471-1717 or visit Southern Cross Family Dentistry and fill out a contact sheet.

 

Smoking and Dental Pulp Infections

The body contains natural defenses against tooth infections, but smoking can compromise them. At Southern Cross Dental in Colorado Springs, we frequently provide reliable endodontic treatment to people with infected dental pulp. But new scientific research has uncovered why smokers are likelier than other people to suffer pulp infections, and why their infections tend to be more severe.

Dental pulp becomes inflamed as an automatic immune system response to an infection or injury. This prevents bacteria from spreading and flushes the infected area with white blood cells and antimicrobial peptides. The latter are molecules that attach to the disease-spreading bacteria, neutralizing or killing them. But smokers suffer from pulp infections that are twice as likely to require root canals, and a new study found that their pulp has far fewer antimicrobial peptides.

A root canal removes infected dental pulp, but there is always a possibility of an infection returning. We use antibacterial washes to reduce that chance and provide periodontal therapy to combat infections that spread to gum tissue. But patients should be aware that worse pulp infections are one more consequence of smoking, and that there is some evidence that renewed antimicrobial peptide production is one of the benefits of quitting.

Drs. Navid and Faranak Rahimpour operate Southern Cross Dental at 1855 S Nevada Ave, Colorado Springs, Colorado, 80905-2516. To schedule an appointment, call 719-471-1717 or visit Southern Cross Family Dentistry and fill out a contact sheet.

 

Cirrhosis and Gum Disease

Dentistry is a crucial part of overall health. At Southern Cross Dental in Colorado Springs, we enjoy keeping up with the latest developments in our field. Recent research has indicated that gum disease is closely tied to diseases elsewhere in the body, and now scientists have found evidence that treating it can relieve symptoms of cirrhosis.

The liver filters toxic substances out of the body, but it can become inflamed. When chronic inflammation causes it to scar over, this is called cirrhosis, and it causes inflammation throughout the body. People with cirrhosis have been observed to have decreased cognitive function as a result of brain inflammation. It was initially unsurprising that cirrhosis patients have unusually high rates of gum disease, since both can be caused by smoking and alcohol use, but studies also found higher rates of gum disease in people with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, suggesting a direct relationship. Bacteria that cause gum disease have also been found in the liver.

Researchers at Virginia Commonwealth University investigated whether cirrhosis symptoms would improve if patients received treatment for gum disease. They found that, following treatment, cirrhosis patients had better cognitive function and increased levels of gut bacteria that fight inflammation. While we are awaiting more research, we have another reason to emphasize why it is so important for people to brush and floss regularly and to encourage people to come to our office to get inflamed gums treated.

Drs. Navid and Faranak Rahimpour operate Southern Cross Dental at 1855 S Nevada Ave, Colorado Springs, Colorado, 80905-2516. To schedule an appointment, call 719-471-1717 or visit Southern Cross Family Dentistry and fill out a contact sheet.

 

Rheumatoid Arthritis and Gum Disease

There are many conditions which can affect people’s oral health, and at Southern Cross Dental in Colorado Springs, we want our patients to know what they’re up against. Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disorder that is common in people with gum disease, and scientists are learning more about why.

A Johns Hopkins study found gum disease in 35% of the general population but 70% of people with RA. While people with difficulty moving their hands might be expected to have higher rates of gum disease due to worse oral hygiene, that’s not the whole story. Gingivitis is common even in people with RA who are still able to brush and floss regularly. For answers, scientists compared the DNA and protein structure of gum tissue and synovium, the lining of the joints. RA causes the immune system to attack synovium, resulting in swelling, and it turned out that synovium and gum tissue share a lot of traits.

RA is caused by a combination of genetic and environmental factors. Smoking puts people at increased risk for it. Preliminary studies show that good oral hygiene can still help people with RA to fight gum disease, making it especially important for them to get regular cleanings.

Drs. Navid and Faranak Rahimpour operate Southern Cross Dental at 1855 S Nevada Ave, Colorado Springs, Colorado, 80905-2516. To schedule an appointment, call 719-471-1717 or visit Southern Cross Family Dentistry and fill out a contact sheet.

 

Oral Cancer and Alcohol

As part of our preventive services, we at Southern Cross Dental in Colorado Springs provide our patients with information on the causes of oral cancer and screen them for early warning signs. Recently the American Society of Clinical Oncology released a study on the connection between oral cancer and alcohol which we wanted our patients to be aware of.

Past studies have established that alcohol and tobacco together raise the risk of oral cancer, but this study examined alcohol as a causative agent in its own right. It found that 5% of new cancer diagnoses, including oral cancer, can be attributed to alcohol. The researchers said they were unsure of why alcohol would lead to oral cancer, but it could be that alcohol causes damage to soft tissues in the mouth. Each time the tissues repair, there is an opportunity for DNA to be miscopied.

The research found that the risk factor did not vary depending on what kind of alcohol was consumed, and although it was greater for heavy drinkers, it was still significant for light and moderate drinkers. It also found that, although the risks for every kind of cancer did not decrease with the cessation of alcohol use, the risk of cancers of the mouth and throat did decline.

Drs. Navid and Faranak Rahimpour operate Southern Cross Dental at 1855 S Nevada Ave, Colorado Springs, Colorado, 80905-2516. To schedule an appointment, call 719-471-1717 or visit Southern Cross Family Dentistry and fill out a contact sheet.