A study conducted in China revealed that gum disease affects mental functions and increases the risk of developing Alzheimer’s.
Researchers from the Chinese School of Nahwi Medical University held a comparison between the MRI ’images of the brain of 51 adults who do not suffer from problems of mental functions, including 11 people with gum disease.
The study published by the scientific journal “Journal of Periodontology”, which specializes in gum disease, showed that volunteers with gum disease, especially in middle to acute cases, have changes in neurological connections between the different parts of the brain.
The researchers said, in statements to the website “Health Day”, which specializes in medical research, that these results indicate that gum disease is one of the risk factors that may lead to brain damage, and it also represents an early warning to the decline in cognitive functions.
The researchers pointed out that the bacteria that grow inside the sick gums can invade the brain tissue and lead to an immune response. The researchers believe that treating gum disease can also play a role in preventing Alzheimer’s infection.
They added that “this research involves important repercussions in order to improve interest in oral and dental health and its impact on the health of the nervous system in the body.”