The dentist recognizes much more than dental diseases
Anyone who believes that a visit to the dentist only protects against diseases of the teeth and gums is only grasping part of the possibilities. The dentist can detect much more. Diseases of the digestive organs, for example, are indicated by white deposits on the tongue. The first signs of osteoporosis can be recognized by the decrease in bone substance in the jawbone. Diabetes is also often first recognized by the dentist through noticeably loosening teeth. In recent years, researchers have increasingly focused on the links between gum diseases such as periodontitis and systemic diseases such as leukemia, diabetes, psoriasis and rheumatism. Scientists have been working hard on the question of possible links between Alzheimer's and periodontitis. The reason for the increased interest was the findings of a research team from Chung Shan Medical University in Taiwan. The researchers found a 70 percent higher risk of Alzheimer's in older people who suffered from gum inflammation. More than 24 million people worldwide suffer from Alzheimer's disease. Alzheimer's disease is considered the most common cause of dementia. The significantly increased risk of disease in periodontitis patients leads to the assumption that periodontal inflammation in the body favors and possibly accelerates the onset of Alzheimer's dementia.
The course of periodontitis
Periodontitis or periodontosis is a widespread disease. Bacterial plaque causes inflammation in the periodontium, which leads to tooth loss if left untreated. The inflammation of the gums initially goes unnoticed by the patient as it does not cause any pain or discomfort. However, the dentist can detect it at an early stage as part of a check-up. The first signs are bleeding gums and increased sensitivity of the tooth necks. In these cases, the dentist recommends periodontitis treatment. This involves thoroughly cleaning the tooth pockets and removing inflamed tissue. Even though the incidence of the disease increases significantly with age, periodontitis affects people as young as 40. The earlier treatment begins, the better patients can be protected against tooth loss and the development of secondary diseases.
The link between periodontitis and Alzheimer's disease
Alzheimer's disease mainly affects older people. More than half of people over the age of 85 are affected by Alzheimer's dementia. The number of Alzheimer's patients in Germany is estimated at around 700,000. The number of patients is expected to rise to over two million by 2050. The exact causes have not yet been clarified. In younger patients, genetic factors and mutations can be identified, while in older patients the focus of investigations is primarily on exposure to harmful substances and familial clustering. Inflammation is increasingly being discussed as a cause of Alzheimer's disease. Periodontitis is a chronic disease that progresses in inflammatory episodes. It is caused by bacteria that penetrate the gums. Initially, a strong immune defense is triggered when the bacteria penetrate. During this time, the highly sensitive gums begin to bleed due to even the slightest mechanical irritation. Bleeding gums occur when brushing the teeth or chewing hard foods. Germs from the mouth enter the body via the bloodstream, which favors other diseases. There are known cases in which gum inflammation has caused an unexplained fever. Only after the connection to the infection in the oral cavity was recognized and treated could the fever subside. The penetration of the blood-brain barrier by germs can lead to severe impairments. Examples include neuroborreliosis, in which Borrelia bacteria penetrate the brain, or neurosyphilis, in which syphilis germs cause changes in the brain. When examining the brains of deceased Alzheimer's patients, scientists were able to identify a germ that is closely linked to the periodontitis germ in a large number of the treated cases. Experiments on mice have underlined the assumption of a connection between periodontitis and Alzheimer's disease. Mice infected with a periodontitis germ showed changes in the hippocampus. A team of researchers from the University of Illinois at Chicago has succeeded in proving that periodontal bacteria promote the development of senile plaques in the brain substance. The plaques are considered to be the cause of neuropathies that occur in connection with Alzheimer's disease. In particular, the so-called "marker germ" Porphyromonas gingivalis can be detected in over 50 percent of periodontal diseases. It is considered the lead germ for severe forms of periodontitis and is therefore responsible for the loss of teeth. In addition, Porphyromonas gingivalis has been clearly detected in the brains of Alzheimer's patients, where it forms so-called "toxic proteases" that promote neurodegeneration. All these results strengthen the assumption that diseases of the gums can be directly linked to Alzheimer's and other diseases.
Make your employees aware of the opportunity for good prophylaxis!
Many people are very afraid of developing Alzheimer's disease. Even if it has not yet been fully clarified why exactly the number of Alzheimer's cases is increased in periodontitis patients, prevention is worthwhile. More and more employers are recognizing the risk of periodontitis for the health of their employees. While dental health has previously received little attention in occupational health management (OHM), the latest study results on the possible links between periodontitis and Alzheimer's have prompted a rethink. More and more committed employers are organizing oral health days as part of occupational health management to raise their employees' awareness of the risk of periodontal disease with presentations, exhibitions and campaigns. Take part!