{"id":392,"date":"2024-11-21T23:56:37","date_gmt":"2024-11-21T23:56:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.lakewoodcompletedentistry.com\/blog\/?p=392"},"modified":"2026-02-16T16:46:03","modified_gmt":"2026-02-16T16:46:03","slug":"gum-disease-alzheimers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.lakewoodcompletedentistry.com\/blog\/2024\/11\/21\/gum-disease-alzheimers\/","title":{"rendered":"Can Gum Disease Cause Alzheimer\u2019s?"},"content":{"rendered":"
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The mouth is the gateway to the rest of your body. This means, if you are experiencing gum disease, it can have a negative impact on your overall wellbeing. It has even been linked to Alzheimer\u2019s disease. Continue reading to learn more about the connection between gum disease<\/a> and brain health as well as some steps to keep your gums healthy going forward.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

How Are Gum Disease and Alzheimer\u2019s Related?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The earliest stage of gum disease is known as \u201cgingivitis.\u201d This is common and affects about half of adults over the age of 30. However, the effects are usually reversible if you seek treatment early. When left untreated, this can progress to periodontitis, where subgingival pockets develop between the teeth and gums. This fills with bacteria and can be challenging to completely get rid of.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There is a certain type of bacteria found in periodontitis that is also present in the brains of those who are suffering from Alzheimer\u2019s disease. This is called Porphyromonas gingivalis. A U.S. pharmaceutical company, Cortexyme, performed an experiment on mice to show how these bacteria spread to the brain and result in the features of Alzheimer\u2019s disease.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How Can You Prevent Gum Disease?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Gum disease is very common and preventable. Here are some steps you should be taking to keep your gums healthy:<\/p>\n\n\n\n