Alzheimer's risk from the gums?

Christiane Fux studied journalism and psychology in Hamburg. The experienced medical editor has been writing magazine articles, news and factual texts on all conceivable health topics since 2001. In addition to her work for, Christiane Fux is also active in prose. Her first crime novel was published in 2012, and she also writes, designs and publishes her own crime plays.

More posts by Christiane Fux All content is checked by medical journalists.

Gum germs do not stay in the mouth. They travel through the body and provoke inflammatory responses. Now it has been shown that they even get into the brain - and there may be involved in the development of Alzheimer's.

Dental care is not only important for a beautiful smile. It also prevents pathogenic germs from spreading in the oral cavity. In particular, Porphyromonas gingivalis (P. gingivalis) needs to be kept in check. The bacterium is involved in the development of inflammation of the gums. However, it also spreads to the rest of the body through the bloodstream.

The toxins it releases call the immune system into action. The result is a chronic inflammatory reaction that goes unnoticed. In the long run, it has been known for a long time, that this can, for example, contribute to the development of arteriosclerosis: The "vascular calcification" narrows the vessels and thus increases the risk of heart attacks and strokes.

Gum bacteria in the brain

But that is obviously not the only danger: the gum germ even manages to penetrate into the brain. Only a few pathogens manage this, because the brain is protected from many dangers by the so-called blood-brain barrier, which acts like a filter.

Researchers working with the microbiologist Dr. Jan Potempa, who works at the Universities of Louisville and Krakow, compared samples from the brains of deceased Alzheimer's patients with those of deceased people without dementia. They found that the gum bacterium was more common than usual in the brains of Alzheimer's patients. This could be proven by means of so-called genetic fingerprints of the germ as well as by means of its toxin: gingipain.

Connection with other illnesses

In addition to the connection between Alzheimer's and P. gingivalis, the researchers found indications that the bacterium also plays a role in the development of the autoimmune disease rheumatoid arthritis. It also seems to favor what is known as aspiration pneumonia. This form of pneumonia occurs when people inhale particles of food or saliva.

More accurate than antibiotics

"The toxins from P. gingivalis are good targets for medical treatments," says study author Potempa. In experiments with mice, the researchers succeeded in preventing gum bacteria from migrating into the brain with an active ingredient that interacts with gingipain. "The attraction of the approach is that, in contrast to antibiotics, such an active ingredient only hits the pathogens involved and leaves beneficial bacteria undisturbed."

In a so-called clinical phase 1 study, the researchers are currently testing how well the active ingredient is tolerated on healthy participants. A subsequent phase 2 study could investigate whether patients actually benefit from the “anti-gingipain”.

Teenage infection

P. gingivalis usually begins to settle in the gums during teenage years. In most cases, the infection remains harmless. However, if the bacteria multiply strongly, they provoke an immune reaction in the body, which manifests itself in inflammation and bleeding gums - dentists then speak of periodontitis.In severe cases, the gums shrink and the teeth eventually fall out.

By simply chewing or brushing your teeth, the bacteria get into the bloodstream and thus also endanger other body organs.

Dental hygiene as Alzheimer's prophylaxis?

The best way to prevent the germ from getting out of hand is through thorough dental hygiene, the researchers write. In addition to brushing your teeth, this also includes the use of dental floss or interdental brushes as well as regular professional teeth cleaning.

Smokers and people with weak immune systems are more likely to suffer from periodontal disease. Genetic factors also seem to play a role. How these affect gum health has not yet been clarified.

Tags:  hair anatomy diet