11/03/2025
NOVEMBER IS NATIONAL ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE AWARENESS MONTH. As a dental office, we strive to educate our patients on how their oral health affects their overall health. Below are facts that you should think about daily when it comes to your oral health.
1. Periodontal disease (gum disease) causes chronic inflammation. This inflammation can spread to the brain, contributing to the progression of Alzheimer’s disease.
2. The risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease is reported to double within a decade following a diagnosis of periodontitis.
3. About 6 million Americans have Alzheimer’s disease, and nearly 2.8 million Americans are estimated to have both periodontal disease and Alzheimer’s disease.
4. Over the next five years, Alzheimer’s disease is expected to increase by 50%, and periodontal disease is expected to increase by 16.4%.
5. Amyloid-beta plaque, known as the “hallmark of Alzheimer’s,” is believed to disrupt communication between nerve cells. Amyloid-beta plaque has shown signs of being a product of periodontal disease.