The Connection Between Alzheimer's Disease and Dental Health
Posted on 4/25/2022 by Alyce |
 There is a widespread misperception that memory loss, dementia, and even Alzheimer's disease are normal parts of aging. The fact is that normal, healthy aging includes changes in skin, hair, nails, bones, hearing and vision, as well as decreased energy levels. As we age, our skin's suppleness and dryness decrease as our oil glands generate less oil. Hair thins and grays, and nail growth slows. Visual acuity begins to deteriorate, and high-frequency sounds become more difficult to perceive. Some persons will experience a decrease in height when their posture and joint compression alter. Bones get weaker when their mineral content deteriorates. As we age, our metabolisms decrease and our circadian rhythms shift, forcing us to sleep less. Blood flow declines, affecting memory, the heart, the lungs, the kidneys, and hormones. As a result, while modest memory loss is normal, dementia and Alzheimer's disease are not.
What is Alzheimer's Disease?
Alzheimer's disease is the most prevalent type of dementia, a disease that destroys the brain, reducing mental ability to the point where it interferes with everyday life. Symptoms worsen with age with time, and persons with Alzheimer's survive an average of eight years following diagnosis, or longer if they are in excellent condition.
What's The Connection Between Alzheimer's and Your Dental Health?
As strange as it may appear, there is a link between Alzheimer's illness and oral health! Persons who had chronic gum inflammation for 10 years or more were 70% more likely to acquire Alzheimer's disease than people who did not have periodontitis. Periodontal disease, often known as gum disease, is characterized by the presence of bulging pockets in your gums. Gingivitis is a condition that causes red, swollen gums that bleed easily when touched. These bacteria-infested pockets cause the low-grade inflammation that appears to link periodontitis to Alzheimer's disease and oral health. Periodontitis, on the other hand, may be avoided by practicing excellent daily dental hygiene practices such as brushing, flossing, rinsing, and eating sugar-free gum, as well as visiting your dentist twice a year. Even if you have been diagnosed with periodontal disease, there are numerous things you can do to slow the illness's growth before it's too late.
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