“Bleeding and inflammation” If periodontitis is severe…inflammation in the brain, ‘this’ is dangerous for damage.

Research has shown that gum disease interferes with brain activity, potentially increasing the risk of cognitive decline.

A team led by Associate Professor Xiaohu Li of the Department of Radiology at the First Affiliated Hospital of Hanhui Medical University in China found that people with gum disease showed changes in connections between several brain regions compared to people with good gum health.

The research team investigated the oral health and brain activity of 51 elderly people with normal cognitive function, including 11 with healthy gums, 14 with mild gum disease, and 26 with moderate to severe gum disease.

The results showed that the group with moderate to severe gum disease showed changes in connectivity within and between brain regions, which were associated with overall impaired brain network function.

The researchers speculated that these changes may be due to inflammation in the brain triggered by gum infection. The explanation is that bacteria from damaged gums can invade brain tissue and trigger an immune response.

The researchers pointed out that previous studies also found higher levels of amyloid beta deposits, a hallmark of Alzheimer’s, in the brains of patients with gum disease.

Commenting on the results of this study, the research team said, “These changes suggest that periodontitis can have a negative impact on brain function even in people with normal cognitive function,” and “periodontitis may be a potential risk factor for brain damage.”

“These results not only increase our understanding of periodontitis, but may also provide new approaches to early prevention and treatment of Alzheimer’s disease,” he said. “This research is important for improving not only oral health but also neurological health worldwide.” “It has meaning,” he concluded.

The results of this study were published in the Journal of Periodontology under the title ‘Periodontitis associated with brain function impairment in middle-aged and elderly individuals with normal cognition’.