The Mouth-Body Connection: How Periodontists Help Protect Against Alzheimer’s and Heart Disease

In 2025, the connection between gum health and systemic disease has moved from speculation to scientific consensus. What’s happening below your gum line can influence your brain and your heart, because these things are all connected—and periodontists are on the front lines of this discovery.

Gum disease, or periodontitis, is a chronic inflammatory condition that affects nearly half of adults over 30 and up to 70% of adults over 65. It’s more than a dental concern—research now shows that untreated periodontal disease can raise the risk for both Alzheimer’s disease and cardiovascular conditions.

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Periodontal Disease and the Brain: A Hidden Risk for Alzheimer’s

Recent studies published in Nature Neuroscience and JAMA Neurology in 2025 have identified Porphyromonas gingivalis—a major pathogen in gum disease—in the brain tissue of Alzheimer’s patients. These bacteria release gingipains, toxic enzymes that trigger inflammation and damage neurons critical for memory and cognition. Therefore, the same bacteria that cause inflammation of the gums cause inflammation in the brain.

As specialists in diagnosing and treating gum disease, periodontists are uniquely positioned to detect these inflammatory conditions early—often years before neurological symptoms arise. Emerging data suggest that professional periodontal care may reduce the overall inflammatory burden on the body and may even delay the onset or progression of dementia in at-risk patients.

Gum Disease and Heart Health: A Systemic Connection

The role of oral inflammation in cardiovascular disease has become clearer in recent years. A 2025 NIH-funded study involving more than 9,000 adults revealed that those with advanced gum disease had a 42% higher risk of heart attack or stroke.

When infection and inflammation are left untreated, bacteria and immune system byproducts can enter the bloodstream, promoting arterial plaque formation, disrupting blood vessels, and contributing to atherosclerosis. Periodontists are trained to identify subtle signs of this systemic inflammation during periodontal exams—well before symptoms appear in other parts of the body.

Many cardiologists and internists are now referring patients with chronic inflammation, high cholesterol, or diabetes to periodontists as part of an integrated, preventive care strategy.

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What Periodontists Recommend in 2025

Protecting your gums is now widely recognized as critical preventive healthcare. Our board-certified periodontist, Dr. Alexandra Brummerhop emphasizes:

  • Routine periodontal evaluations, especially for adults over 40

  • Non-surgical deep cleanings to reduce harmful bacteria below the gumline

  • Laser and regenerative or resective therapies for advanced cases

  • Collaboration with physicians for patients with systemic conditions like diabetes, autoimmune disorders, or cognitive decline

  • Patient education on brushing, flossing, diet, and smoking cessation

If you have persistent gum bleeding, gum recession, or loose/migrating teeth, consult a board-certified periodontist to assess your risk and treatment options.

Periodontal Health Is Whole-Body Health

The latest research underscores the critical role of periodontal specialists in preserving not just oral health, but long-term cognitive and cardiovascular wellness. By working with a periodontist, patients can address gum disease before affecting broader health—and possibly preventing life-altering diagnoses down the line.

Whether you’re concerned about memory loss, heart health, or simply want a healthier smile, your periodontist may be one of your most important healthcare allies.

Get Started With Dr. Brummerhop Today

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