Teeth and gum disease could be linked to Alzheimer’s, say scientists.
The bacteria caused by poor oral hygiene can kill off nerve cells once they reach the brain, causing the confusion and memory loss associated with dementia. Researchers who examined the brains of 10 dead patients found signs of the bug P. gingivalis. Scientists suspect the microbe leads to the death of brain cells by triggering a chemical immune response. Despite the findings, reported in the Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease, it “remains to be proven” whether poor dental hygiene can lead to dementia in healthy people. It could be a consequence of later-stage Alzheimer’s.
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