What increases the risk of developing periodontitis? ischemic stroke And dementia of the Alzheimer’s type?
This is the main question of the study done by the Spanish Society of Periodontics and Osseointegration (SEPA) and the Spanish Society of Neurology (SEN) and whose results are presented in a detailed report released this Thursday.
as explained by Dr. Miguel CarasolCoordinator of the SEPA working groups:
- “There is a need to review the scientific evidence for this relationship, as well as the interest in drawing some conclusions and giving advice on how to work with patients with periodontitis and neurological diseases, which is useful for both dentists and neurologists and, In the end, for the general public.
In the words of Dr. Paula Matesanjduring a press conference held at gum house in Madrid:
- “The results of the report show that Periodontitis increases the risk of ischemic stroke and Alzheimer’s dementia,
These results could be very helpful for health professionals trying to avoid, reduce or reduce the effects of these neurological disorders which are very disabling and have huge healthcare costs.
Periodontitis: very common disease in the adult population
One in three Spaniards suffers from something periodontal disease, a chronic disorder that affects more than eight million adults in our country, And two of them have severe periodontitis.
is about 6th most common disease worldwide (More than 750 million people live with this pathology) and it hurts general health.
the most worrying thing is that especially common among the elderly population however, it is often overlooked and/or not given enough attention.
Taking into account the data extracted from the studies assessed in this report:
- “It has been estimated that people with periodontitis have a 1.7 times higher risk of Alzheimer’s dementia and a 2.8 times higher risk of ischemic stroke than periodontally healthy people.”
Periodontal disease: what are the types?
swelling of gums, and The accumulation of bacterial plaque can become tartar. In the long run, this can cause irritation and inflammation of the gums and result in periodontal disease.
periodontitis, Which is a serious infection of the gums that can destroy the bone that supports the tooth. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), it affects 10% of the world’s population and is one of the main causes of tooth loss in adults.
And what is the relationship between these diseases?
Dr. Anne FrankHead of the Neurology Service of La Paz University Hospital (Madrid) and member of the SEPA-SEN group, stressed that it is hypothesized that
- This may be due to the link Inflammatory effects produced by periodontitis. a swelling chronic and low-grade but persistent in the body,
- “This process triggers an inflammatory cascade, which produces negative consequences not only at the neurological level but also in other target organs, which also explains its incidence in cardiovascular health or diabetes.”
However, “more scientific evidence still needs to be provided to support this link,” he clarified. But, “there is no doubt that, as this SEPA-SEN report teaches us, we can and must do something”.
In this ischemic stroke, Caused by a blood clot that blocks or plugs a blood vessel in the brain, there is evidence that chronic immunoinflammatory response of periodontitis will trigger a prothrombotic state of overcomplexity (which may be acquired or hereditary), which may increase the risk of cerebral embolism/thrombosis.
in the case of the disease Alzheimer’s (which afflicts approximately 800,000 people in Spain), there are animal studies that have shown that the bacteremia (invasion of the bloodstream by microorganisms) that occurs in periodontitis contributes to the “development of neurodegenerative processes involved in cognitive dysfunction”.
Symptoms of periodontitis
- Bleeding while brushing.
- bad breath.
- Sensitive gums.
- black gums
- Pus between teeth and gums.
- Mobility or separation of teeth.
In light of this work, he highlighted, two very concrete and practical things that can now be done:
- Dental clinics in Spain should be aware of and publicize this report.
- Through the Spanish Society of Neurology, all neurologists will emphasize the importance of periodontal health in their patients and, in addition, recommend that in all patient reports (regardless of any neurological disease they suffer from) they include specific preventive measures on oral health. Enter advice (emphasis on daily tooth brushing, regular visits to the dentist,…)
By 20 questions (Which are answered in less than a minute) You can find out your risk of suffering from periodontitis and change your oral hygiene habits. This is also an indication to visit a periodontist immediately.
