GUM DISEASE may cause Alzheimer’s.
Now this is intriguing because we have always thought that it had something with an ageing brain. And perhaps genetics.
In a study published in the journal Science Advances, Jan Potempa of the University of Louisville states that Porphyromonas gingivalis – which causes chronic gum disease – have been found in the brains of deceased Alzheimer’s patients.
In separate experiments with mice, oral infection with the pathogen led to brain colonization by the bacteria, together with increased production of amyloid beta (Aβ), the sticky proteins commonly associated with Alzheimer’s, writes Peter Dockrill in sciencealert.com.
“Infectious agents have been implicated in the development and progression of Alzheimer’s disease before, but the evidence of causation hasn’t been convincing,” he quotes the study’s first author Stephen Dominy, the co-founder of the pharma startup Cortexyme which coordinated the study. “Now, for the first time, we have solid evidence connecting the intracellular, Gram-negative pathogen, P. gingivalis, and Alzheimer’s pathogenesis.”
The research team also identified toxic enzymes called gingipains secreted by the bacteria in the brains of Alzheimer’s patients, the article continues. The toxic gingipains were also found in the brains of deceased people who were with Alzheimer’s.
This is significant because it suggests that brain infection with P. gingivalis is not a result of poor dental care following the onset of dementia or a consequence of late-stage disease, but rather an early event among middle-aged individuals before cognitive decline.
Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form of dementia and a leading cause of death in the United States. Still, it’s not exactly clear how Alzheimer’s develops and how to halt its progression.
According to Mr. Dockrill’s article in sciencealert.com, it was believed in 2011 that the most modifiable risk factor for Alzheimer’s disease was physical inactivity, followed by depression and smoking. By 2022, physical inactivity was second to obesity as a risk factor.
It is now believed that Porphyromonas gingivalis, has drawn intense scrutiny. This pathogen is a key driver of chronic gum disease and has been detected in the brains of people who died with Alzheimer’s.
Researchers have also identified toxic enzymes produced by the bacterium, known as gingipains, which can damage neurons and interfere with normal brain function. These findings have raised the possibility that bacteria from the mouth may enter the bloodstream, cross the blood-brain barrier, and contribute to the inflammation seen in Alzheimer’s patients.
Over time, inflammation may prime the brain for damage, making it more vulnerable to cognitive decline.
Alzheimer’s is a complex disease with multiple contributing factors, including genetics, lifestyle, and environmental exposures. Oral bacteria are unlikely to be the sole cause. Instead, they may represent one piece of a much larger puzzle, interacting with other risk factors to influence when and how the disease develops.
Still, the implications are significant. If oral health plays a role in brain health, prevention strategies could extend beyond pharmaceuticals to something far more accessible: daily dental care.
Regular brushing, flossing, professional cleanings, and early treatment of gum disease may not only preserve teeth but also help protect the brain.
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Dr. Joseph D. Lim, Ed. D., is the former Associate Dean of the College of Dentistry, University of the East; former Dean, College of Dentistry, National University; Past President and Honorary Fellow of the Asian Oral Implant Academy; Honorary Fellow of the Japan College of Oral Implantologists; Honorary Life Member of the Thai Association of Dental Implantology; and Founding Chairman of the Philippine College of Oral Implantologists. For questions on dental health, e-mail jdlim2008@gmail.com or text 0917-8591515.
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Dr. Kenneth Lester Lim, BS-MMG, DDM, MSc-OI, graduated Doctor of Dental Medicine, University of the Philippines, College of Dentistry, Manila, 2011; Bachelor of Science in Marketing Management, De la Salle University, Manila, 2002; and Master of Science (MSc.) in Oral Implantology, Goethe University, Frankfurt, Germany, 2019. He is an Associate Professor; Fellow, International Congress of Oral Implantologists; and Fellow, Philippine College of Oral Implantologists. For questions on dental health, e-mail limdentalcenter@gmail.com./PN
