Oral Health and Alzheimer’s Disease

For the estimated 3 million Americans who are diagnosed with the debilitating illness known as Alzheimer’s disease each year, tragic symptoms like dementia and memory loss are a way of life. Categorized as a progressive brain condition that causes patients to lose their memory and a variety of other mental capabilities, the disease – and its possible causes – is in many ways still a mystery to scientists.

But a new study from the journal Science Advances has yielded some new information that could help make massive strides toward a cure for Alzheimer’s disease. Until recently scientists had noticed a connection between poor oral health and Alzheimer’s disease, but they by and large figured this link had more to do with Alzheimer’s patients forgetting or neglecting to take care of their oral health properly. The study, which was conducted by researchers in both California and Edinburgh, Scotland, developed and proved a new theory: Alzheimer’s isn’t causing poor oral health – poor oral health could be causing Alzheimer’s.

To prove this new theory, scientists studied two proteins: amyloid plaques and tau proteins. These two proteins build up in patients with Alzheimer’s disease and have been used by scientists as indicators of Alzheimer’s disease postmortem. Unfortunately, despite their presence in Alzheimer’s patients, before recently scientists didn’t really know what caused these proteins to build up – so they decided to find out. The researchers in the Science Advances study examined the proteins and see if they build up due to outside factors such as bacteria. They began by examining some common bacteria found in Alzheimer’s patients’ bodies. One such bacteria was p.gingivalis bacteria, the bacteria known to cause gum disease.

What the scientists found was that the p.gingivalis bacteria released the enzyme gingipain, which tangles the tau proteins found in Alzheimer’s patients. The amyloid proteins, on the other hand, are released to protect the body from the p.gingivalis bacteria. In fact, when mice were infected with p.gingivalis bacteria, scientists noticed that they had higher levels of amyloid plaques and more damaged neurons, proving gingipains are causing the damaged protein responsible for some cases of Alzheimer’s disease.

So, what does this mean for you? Well, for starters, more studies need to be done to understand this connection. Researchers are in agreement that this is potentially just ONE cause of Alzheimer’s – in fact, people with healthy teeth and gums can and still do get Alzheimer’s. But it’s also a great reason to start ramping up your oral health routine. That means brushing twice a day for two minutes at a time minimum, flossing and visiting Dr. Lesko for regular dental exams.

To schedule your next exam with Dr. Lesko, please call 970-221-5115.

Contact The Fort Collins Dentist Family & Implant Dentistry:

970-221-5115

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

2001 S Shields St Bldg L
Fort Collins, Colorado
80526


Spring Cleaning for Oral Health

With spring almost here and warmer weather on its way, now is the perfect time for a spring cleaning – of your mouth! It may not seem obvious, but changing up your oral health care routine each season is a must to maintain a healthy smile. Here are some things you can do to amp up your oral health this spring.

Clear It Out

Dr. Lesko recommends you replace manual toothbrushes or electric brush heads every two to three months, and the turning of a new season is the perfect time to do so. As we use our toothbrush, the bristles begin to bend and become less effective at getting the plaque and bacteria that accumulate on our teeth during the day. Worse yet, that bacteria can build up in our toothbrushes over time. Replacing your brush with a new, clean, straight-bristled brush is a great way to help spring clean your mouth!

See What’s New

You may be 100 percent satisfied with your oral care tool kit, but there are new products being introduced to the oral health market constantly. Why not ramp up your oral care routine by swapping to a fresh new toothpaste flavor, or how about trying a flavored dental floss? You can even try changing to a different brand of toothbrush or upgrading to an electric brush.

Get Glowing

Worn out from the doldrums of winter? Why not do a little something for yourself and schedule a professional whitening that would make the snow jealous. Get a gleaming smile in time for spring, and reward yourself for making it through those cold, gloomy winter months.

Check Your Insurance

The start of a relatively new year means more oral health benefits for those who are fortunate enough to have dental coverage. If your policy allows for orthodontics and you’ve been considering getting braces, speak to Dr. Lesko about your options.

Schedule an Exam

Another great benefit of a new year is your insurance allowing one or two new oral health checkups. Is it time for a cleaning and exam? When was the last time you had X-rays? Do you have any persistent tooth pain, bleeding gums or inflammation? Now is the time to get it checked out. After all, the sooner you address oral pain and discomfort, the sooner you can start feeling your best.

Schedule Procedures

Spring is also a good time to schedule any dental procedures you’ve been putting off. After all, who wants to be sidelined in the summer when you can take care of it now? Fill cavities, get that crown, have that root canal and clear your schedule for that deep gum cleaning – you’ll look and especially feel a lot better.

To schedule an appointment with Dr. Lesko, please call 970-221-5115.

Contact The Fort Collins Dentist Family & Implant Dentistry:

970-221-5115

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

2001 S Shields St Bldg L
Fort Collins, Colorado
80526


What’s Going on With My Gums?

Have you ever removed your toothbrush from your mouth only to notice the bristles of your brush are tinted red? Don’t be alarmed! In many cases, bleeding gums can come seemingly out of nowhere, even If you don’t have an injury to your gums. But if your gums aren’t injured, why are they bleeding – and what can you do to stop them from bleeding in the future? Here are some common reasons your gums may bleed, even if there is no injury present.

Gingivitis / Periodontitis

Gums often bleed in people with any stage of gum disease due to inflammation of the gums. If you notice any bleeding when you brush, it could be gum disease – and your body’s way of telling you to brush and floss your teeth more, not less! If you do see redness on your brush, don’t panic. Many times, early-stage gum disease is completely reversible. Brushing and flossing regularly can turn early-stage gum disease around and stop the bleeding, so don’t give up hope, but do be sure to contact Dr. Lesko if you are concerned or if the bleeding doesn’t stop after a week or two.

New Oral Care Routine

Sometimes when you begin a new oral health routine – such as brushing more frequently or adding flossing – your gums will bleed for a few days until they are used to the new routine. As with gum disease, don’t give up on flossing and brushing because of the bleeding. Keep up the good work and the bleeding should stop after a few days. This may also occur with a new or too-hard-bristled toothbrush.

Hormones and Pregnancy

Sometimes women’s hormonal changes can make the gums more sensitive, especially during pregnancy. In fact, there is such a thing as “pregnancy gingivitis,” which usually clears up on its own after childbirth.

Blood Thinners

Patients taking blood thinners may bleed more easily and for longer periods of time than those not taking them. If you are on blood thinners and experience bleeding when you brush, don’t be alarmed but do contact your doctor just to be on the safe side.

To schedule an appointment with Dr. Lesko, please call 970-221-5115.

Contact The Fort Collins Dentist Family & Implant Dentistry:

970-221-5115

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

2001 S Shields St Bldg L
Fort Collins, Colorado
80526


Helping Care for Oral Health

If you are a caregiver for someone ill or elderly, first of all, thank you. Your tireless work is something to be celebrated, whether you get recognition or not. Though your job may have its challenges, it can also be rewarding when you are successful.

One of the many challenges caregivers face is providing oral health care to those they care for. But it doesn’t have to be a struggle. Here are some ways you can make making oral health care a priority for your charge a lot easier.

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Cold and Flu Oral Health Care

With winter here and cold and flu season casting its dark shadow upon us, it’s an important time to remember that your oral health needs change when you are sick. Here are a few vital tips to remember if you are one of the 20 percent of Americans who will get the flu this year, or one of the millions of Americans who will get the common cold – maybe even multiple times!

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2019 Dental Resolutions

It’s that time of year again when we cast aside the old and welcome the new – New Year’s resolutions, that is. Whether this year you’re resolving to lose weight, quit smoking or try a new hobby, New Year’s resolutions are admirable goals for anyone to have, especially if they’re for your health. This year, when you sit down to make your resolutions, don’t forget one very important aspect of your life: your oral health. Try these suggestions to make 2019 your best oral health year ever!

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The Dangers of Using a Straw

You may have heard news reports recently that drinking from disposable plastic straws available at most restaurants is bad for the planet. That’s because these seemingly insignificant pieces of plastic add up – to the tune of 500 million straws every single day. Worse yet, they’re not biodegradable or recyclable, so those 500 million daily straws sit in landfills. To give you an idea of how much plastic that is, the National Park Service says it could add up to about 46,000 school buses full of plastic straws annually. But it gets worse, because in addition to being bad for the planet, straws can be bad for your oral health too. Here’s why.

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