{"id":110,"date":"2019-09-20T19:33:50","date_gmt":"2019-09-20T19:33:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.advanceddentaltreatment.com\/blog\/?p=110"},"modified":"2019-09-20T19:34:11","modified_gmt":"2019-09-20T19:34:11","slug":"how-is-gum-health-linked-to-brain-function","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.advanceddentaltreatment.com\/blog\/2019\/09\/how-is-gum-health-linked-to-brain-function\/","title":{"rendered":"How Is Gum Health Linked to Brain Function?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Although they\u2019re spatially near each other, you wouldn\u2019t\nthink your\ngums<\/a> could affect your brain. After all, they\u2019re not even part of the same\nbody system. However, as it turns out, they are related. By not having healthy\ngums, you could be jeopardizing the health of your brain and increasing your\nrisk of developing problems like dementia. A family dentist in Greenfield is\nhere to elaborate on the connection. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

What Is Gum Disease?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Since your mouth is a warm, moist environment, it is home to\nlots of bacteria, most of which are harmless and even beneficial. Gum disease\noccurs when the bad bacteria in your mouth get out of control, usually because\nof poor oral hygiene. When you neglect to brush and floss as often as you\nshould, plaque builds up on your gums. The bacteria in plaque then attack the\nstructures supporting your teeth, leading to tooth loss and a whole host of\nother health problems. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

How Is Gum Disease Linked to Alzheimer\u2019s?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The bacteria associated with gum disease can create pockets\nin between your gums and teeth. Bacteria can then enter those pockets, reach\nyour bloodstream, and travel to other parts of your body, such as your brain.\nThis theory has been all but confirmed by studies that have shown the same\nstrands of bacteria in gum disease patients and in the brain tissue of\nAlzheimer\u2019s patients. Inflammation from the mouth spreads into the brain,\ncausing impaired function that may lead to dementia. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

How Can You Keep Your Gums Healthy?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

There are multiple methods of keeping gum disease at bay,\nsuch as:<\/p>\n\n\n\n