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Gum Disease

All articles tagged with #gum disease

Gum Health Linked to Higher Dementia Risk in 10-Year Japanese Study
health23 days ago

Gum Health Linked to Higher Dementia Risk in 10-Year Japanese Study

A decade-long study of about 1,400 adults in Japan found that worse gum health—more bleeding, receding gums, and larger gaps between teeth—was associated with a substantially higher risk of dementia over ten years (about 56% increase for all-cause dementia and 61% for Alzheimer's). While the study is observational and cannot prove causation, researchers note that periodontal inflammation and oral pathogens may influence brain health, and emphasize that dental care could potentially help reduce dementia risk. More diverse cohorts are needed to confirm the link.

Your nightly brushing and flossing could protect your brain, neurologist says
health1 month ago

Your nightly brushing and flossing could protect your brain, neurologist says

A neurologist at Henry Ford Health says you should never skip brushing and flossing before bed because oral bacteria like Porphyromonas gingivalis, linked to gum disease, can travel to the brain and chronic inflammation may raise dementia risk; missing teeth are also associated with greater cognitive decline, potentially due to chewing difficulties and nutrition, with socioeconomic factors affecting dental care access; experts recommend brushing twice daily, flossing (water flossers are popular), and getting regular professional cleanings, plus gum disease treatment or dentures to help slow cognitive decline.

Gum Health as a Clue: How Periodontal Disease Echoes Heart, Stroke, and Diabetes Risks
health2 months ago

Gum Health as a Clue: How Periodontal Disease Echoes Heart, Stroke, and Diabetes Risks

Bleeding gums and other signs of gum disease may reflect systemic inflammation linked to heart disease, stroke and diabetes. Bacteria and inflammatory molecules from chronic gum infection can enter the bloodstream and influence arterial health, while diabetes and high blood sugar can worsen gum disease in a bidirectional loop. Treating gum disease can lower systemic inflammation and improve blood vessel function, but it’s not a substitute for medical care. Practical steps include brushing twice daily with fluoride toothpaste, flossing, avoiding tobacco, controlling blood sugar, staying hydrated, and regular dental visits.

Gum-Disease Bacteria May Drive Calcified Heart Valve Damage, New Research Finds
health-and-medicine2 months ago

Gum-Disease Bacteria May Drive Calcified Heart Valve Damage, New Research Finds

Researchers traced Porphyromonas gingivalis, a gum-disease bacterium, to calcific aortic valve stenosis by showing it can accumulate in the aortic valve and drive inflammation and calcium buildup in mice; antibiotics reduced the effect, and deleting IL-1β lessened calcification, hinting at a biological link between periodontal disease and heart valve damage. The findings are preliminary (not yet peer-reviewed) and human studies are underway, but experts say good oral health could benefit heart health.

Jackfruit-derived gel could repair damage from gum disease
health-and-medicine3 months ago

Jackfruit-derived gel could repair damage from gum disease

Brazilian researchers developed a mucoadhesive biomaterial made from jackfruit latex, pomegranate peel extract, and simvastatin to treat periodontitis. In vitro tests showed anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial effects and promoted bone/tissue formation, with osteoinduction evident within 14–21 days, though further safety and efficacy studies are needed before clinical use.

Gums as gateways: the surprising links between oral health and overall health
health5 months ago

Gums as gateways: the surprising links between oral health and overall health

Gum disease and oral bacteria are increasingly linked to systemic health problems such as cardiovascular disease, stroke and diabetes, with inflammation and bloodstream spread playing key roles; while causality is complex, evidence suggests a real impact, and maintaining good oral hygiene (brushing twice daily, flossing) and reducing sugar intake is advised, though access to NHS dental care remains challenging for many.

Blocking Bacterial Signals May Rebalance Mouth Microbes to Fight Gum Disease
science5 months ago

Blocking Bacterial Signals May Rebalance Mouth Microbes to Fight Gum Disease

Researchers found that interrupting quorum sensing in dental plaque using lactonases can shift the mouth’s microbial balance toward health-associated bacteria and reduce disease-linked microbes, with effects that depend on oxygen levels above and below the gums; this approach aims to preserve a healthy microbiome rather than kill all bacteria and could inform broader dysbiosis-related therapies.

Microbiome-Safe Toothpaste Targets Gum Disease Without Killing Beneficial Bacteria
biotechnology-dentistry7 months ago

Microbiome-Safe Toothpaste Targets Gum Disease Without Killing Beneficial Bacteria

Researchers have developed a microbiome-friendly toothpaste that uses a targeted compound to inhibit the gum-disease pathogen Porphyromonas gingivalis without disrupting the broader oral microbiome, allowing beneficial bacteria to rebalance the mouth and potentially reduce periodontitis. The approach, developed with PerioTrap and Fraunhofer institutes, also spawns post-cleaning products like a care gel, with ongoing development of additional oral-care solutions.

Dementia Linked to Peripheral Health Issues, Not Just Brain Decline
health7 months ago

Dementia Linked to Peripheral Health Issues, Not Just Brain Decline

A global review of more than 200 studies finds up to one-third of dementia cases are linked to diseases outside the brain, with gum disease, chronic liver disease, hearing loss, vision loss, and type 2 diabetes showing the strongest associations. While causality isn’t proven, researchers say preventing peripheral diseases could help mitigate dementia risk and may explain why brain-focused treatments have often failed, highlighting a complex brain–body network and new directions for prevention and research.

Gum Disease and Oral Health Risks Linked to Heart and Brain Conditions
health9 months ago

Gum Disease and Oral Health Risks Linked to Heart and Brain Conditions

A review by the American Heart Association highlights the strong link between gum disease and increased risk of heart disease, emphasizing that maintaining good oral hygiene can help reduce inflammation and potentially lower the risk of cardiovascular problems. The evidence suggests that bacteria from damaged gums may enter the bloodstream, contributing to arterial clogging, and that treating periodontal disease can improve markers associated with heart disease. The researchers call for further studies to explore whether periodontal treatment can directly reduce cardiovascular risk, underscoring the importance of oral health for overall well-being.

Scientists Find Way to Disrupt Bacterial Talks to Prevent Gum Disease
health10 months ago

Scientists Find Way to Disrupt Bacterial Talks to Prevent Gum Disease

Scientists at the University of Minnesota discovered that disrupting bacterial communication signals, specifically AHLs, in the mouth can promote healthier oral bacteria and potentially prevent gum disease by maintaining a balanced microbiome. The effectiveness of this approach varies with oxygen levels, offering new avenues for targeted periodontal therapies.