Maybe yes, at least according to a study conducted at Columbia College of Physicians and Surgeons in New York. The study, as reported in the Journal of Neurology,Neurosurgery and Psychiatry, found that Periodontitis is associated with cognitive impairment in older adults.
The study found that participants with the highest serum levels of antibodies for Porphyromonas gingivalis (a pathogen causally associated with periodontitis) had significantly greater odds of impaired verbal memory and subtraction test performance.
In their study's introduction the authors pointed out that there is epidemilogical evidentce supporting an association between stroke, accelerated aortic atherogenesis and and serum antibody measures to P gingivalis.
The authors also pointed out that "Risk factors for stroke and dementia, including diabetes, obesity and smoking, have a similar systemic inflammatory profile to periodontitis and suggest that they could play similar roles in a final common pathway of atherogenesis related to systemic inflammation"
I myself have noticed that some of my more 'forgetful' senior citizen patients do seem to have more plaque and periodontal disease symptoms , but I always assumed it was because they were being more neglectful of their home care at home. I assumed that it was their cognitive impairment that was causing their gum problems and not the other way around.
I always love to get professional answers to disturbing questions. My son had developed some 3 extra teeth and he was finding it hard to cope up. My search for an orthodontist led me to Dr. Karen Guinn of Pasadena CA. She gave me excellent advice and eventually removed the excess teeth. She did it so well that the boy resumed school in three days and can now afford a smile. Thank you all doctors.
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