Gum disease and dementia.

Today the message about regular brushing and flossing remains a constant in our lives. However, the implications of not following through with this mantra are now become more concerning as we are seeing more cases of gum disease.

It is a given fact that the patients we see who brush, floss and attend regularly have fewer problems, enjoy a wide range of foods and generally keep their teeth all their lives.

Now, research by the University of California showed that elderly people who did not brush at least once per day were up to 65 per cent more likely to develop dementia than those who brushed twice daily. The research did not indicate a direct link but warranted further investigation.

Like many conditions of the body, it is the association that often implies risk. For example, having high cholesterol does not guarantee you will have a heart attack. However heart attack victims are often associated with high cholesterol. This is similar for gum disease. The presence of gum disease does not mean you will develop dementia, but research is now showing that people with poor oral hygiene are more likely to develop dementia.

Dementia is in simple terms the degeneration of the brain. This process is sped up if inflammation exists in the body.

Several other studies have indicated the presence of inflammatory processes in the body to brain degeneration. Gum disease is such a process and afflicts up to 70% of Australians. (Kamer AR, Craig RG, Dasanayake AP, Brys M, Glodzik-Sobanska L, deLeon MJ. Inflammation and Alzheimer’s disease: possible role of periodontal diseases. Alzheimer’s Dementia 2008; 4:242-250.)

The take home message…don’t wait until your gums begin receding before you take action.

Be aware of the signs and symptoms and don’t stick your head in the sand and ignore them.

• Swollen, red gums that may bleed easily, but are not necessarily painful.

• Gums receding from the teeth.

• A build-up of calculus or tartar on your teeth.

• Bad breath (halitosis).

We are now regularly seeing new research suggesting that the condition of a person’s gums can be a barometer of their body’s overall health.