Gum Disease & Alzheimer’s: A Surprising Connection

By Shlomo Maital

  A study led by Prof. Gabriel Nussbaum, Faculty of Dental Medicine, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, reveals a curious connection between gum disease and Alzheimer’s.  It is reported by the daily Jerusalem Post.

  Here is the story.

  Porphyromonas gingivalis,  the microbe that causes gum disease (e.g. gingivitis) is a germ that thrives in inflamed oral tissue in our mouths.  Unlike most microbes, that thrive on sugars, it lives on proteins and on the iron in red blood cells.  It  feeds on the plaque and on the bleeding gums that arise when our gums are infected and ailing.  Bleeding gums are like lunch or supper for it. 

    This insidious little bug has a magical trick.  It uses a protein to fight the body’s immune system.  The protein is called CD47.  When the body has an infection, anywhere, e.g. our gums, it sends white blood cells to fight – part of our immune system.  But this sneaky microbe, porphyromonas, has figured out how to defeat the white blood cells, and moreover, actually make them worsen the infection and gum bleeding, worsening the inflammation. 

    Sneaky!   Gosh, what evolution can come up with!

     But – what in the world does this have to do with Alzheimer’s?

      Alzheimer’s is characterized by sticky plaque that gums up our brains and ultimately shuts it down.  It seems likely that the microbes that infect our gums spread to our brains, and “drive macrophage cells into a pro-inflammation stage, generating plaque rather than preventing it.” 

          Macrophage cells are cells in our brain that comprise our active immune defense to protect our brains from microbes and other bad things.  They make up fully 10% of the total number of cells in our brain.  Makes sense —  Evolution has evolved to protect our brains – but porphyromonas gingivalis may have figured out a defense against the defense.

        What is the action item here?   Seniors —  healthy teeth and gums are really important for overall health.  We’ve known this for ages.  But now, we may see some real science that connects our gums and teeth with our brains. 

        Have your teeth cleaned regularly by a dental hygienist, so plaque doesn’t form and cause gingivitis.  Maybe every six months or so.  If your gums do bleed, see a periodontist.  Your brain will say, thank you.