Periodontitis: is it related to Alzheimer’s and serious diseases?

Since childhood, whether at home or at school, we are taught about the importance of brushing your teeth and keeping your oral health up to date.

Daily cleaning of teeth is not only done to maintain the beauty of the smile, but to prevent diseases that may appear in the region. In addition, poor hygiene can compromise the health of the body as a whole.

Brushing in a hurry and without cleaning it properly can cause a disease called periodontitis , a more advanced and irreversible stage of gingivitis (inflammation of the gums).

So, this is where new research comes in that points out that periodontitis may be linked to other even more serious diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis , pneumonia and Alzheimer’s.

The evidence comes from the detection of the bacterium Porphyromonas gingivalis (which causes periodontitis) in the brains of patients with these diagnoses.

Read more: What is oral health? Know your importance and care tips

From the mouth to the brain

According to the results presented, the main cause of periodontitis, the bacterium Porphyromonas gingivalis, is able to travel throughout the patient’s body.

But to reach this conclusion, the researchers used data from Alzheimer’s patients, and also from rats, to better understand this path.

For the research, samples of brain tissue from patients, already deceased, with and without Alzheimer’s were analyzed. Among those who had the disease, the presence of the bacteria was more expressive.

In the case of rodents, it was discovered that it may be through the mouth that the agent reaches the brain.

But the results also found a substance capable of blocking some enzymes, preventing the bacteria from migrating to the brain or other parts of the body.

Oral hygiene controls the bacteria

Porphyromonas gingivalis is a bacterium found in the mouth, can cause bleeding and erosions in the gingival tissue.

Therefore, a correct hygiene of the oral region is essential to avoid risks and damage to gums and other diseases.

Paying attention to brushing teeth, using dental floss correctly and making regular visits to the dentist are the best option for having healthy teeth.

Read more: Minute investigates: is fluoride bad for your health?


The data shown above indicates how our body is interconnected and also how one problem can lead to another.

Therefore, it is always necessary to be aware of preventive measures.

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